So how did they like it? Is the iPad a runaway early success? Here are a few ways to measure:

Sales: On Saturday, the day the product was released, Apple says it sold 300,000 iPads. Analysts estimate the company sold between 300,000 to 700,000 of the touch-screen "slate" computers over the weekend.

Anticipation: 300,000 iPads is about what analysts expected Apple to sell on opening day.

Comparison: The iPhone - which some think is basically a smaller version of the iPad - launched in 2007 as Apple's greatest hit in recent memory. Analysts estimated 200,000 iPhones were sold on the day it debuted, which is a third less than the iPad. The iPhone sold its millionth unit 74 days after it hit the market.

Mainstream appeal:By some accounts, most of the people who bought iPads already were Apple fans - i.e., nearly three-fourths of them already owned a Mac, according to a Piper Jaffray survey. How the device will fare with people outside the Cult of Mac is a question up for debate.

Apps: Apps - or the games, applications and programs that run on a gadget - really made the iPhone sing with consumers, because apps determine what a device can do. More than 1,000 apps have been designed specifically for the iPad's 9.7-inch screen, and the New York Times says developers are rushing to update them now that the device is out. Consumers already have downloaded more than 1 million iPad apps, according to an Apple press release - so that's about three apps per iPad to date.

Revolution: Some analysts expect the iPad to revolutionize the area of tablet computing, which Microsoft and others have tried to push on consumers in the past, but with only limited success. The iPad's success may buoy the entire tablet market, says USA TODAY. The newspaper says once-stale tablets "may be the new hot thing."

Debauchery: Finally, if the hackers don't like your gadget, you know you have a problem. But, in what could be read as a good or bad sign for Apple, a video of someone "jailbreaking" the iPad has already surfaced.

Have you gotten your hands on an iPad? If so, let us know what you think of it, either by posting a comment below or by submitting a video to this CNN iReport assignment. (You can find other consumer reviews there, too).

Also, if you still have questions about what the iPad is and what exactly it does (don't worry, some people in line to buy the device still were unsure of what it was), here are twoguides to understanding the iPad, and picking the right one.

Well I followed like a "sheep" for the must have product of the year. YEAH BABY !!!!

Then I got home and opened the box and started finding out exactly what I couldn't do with this thing. Well The usefulness of this product
as a book reader is fantastic nice big clear screen. Other than that WASTE OF MONEY. My Iphone can actually do more.....

I bought mine Saturday and will likely buy three more soon. I believe I can replace the 28 pound backpacks my sons carry at college with this 1.5 pound beauty! As more apps are polished for it's interface, it will only become that much better!

It's what I always wanted to by my 80 year old parents – a wireless, portable consumer display with an intuitive interface, touch screen, and brilliant display that you can use in the daylight.

They won't miss the pop-ups, malware, pop-ups, network problems, or suffer through user lessons they have no patience for. The secret is that this thing is irresistible and inviable to everyone, including it's detractors.

The real test was the iPhone, which is so inviting that they don't hesitate to touch it, play with it, and interact. The only drawback was that it's too small for them to see. Now, we finally have a product that's reliable, useful, and appealing to people with some physical limitations.

I long for the day that we have video conferencing on something like this device – but, Apple has no interest in hearing from it's customers, fans, or clients. That's the one thing I dislike most about Apple – their INPUT box doesn't exist!

This is a fabulous device. I don't own a Mac/Macbook/iPhone, but have been watching for the iPad since its announcement. The display and interface is astounding, and I am already reading 3 books on it. For daily tasks, books, surfing the web, email around the office/house, it is a dream. It won't do any heavy enterprise lifting, nor was it designed to do that. It will however allow me to travel at 1.5lbs with my presentations to clients meetings and "blow" them away. The intuitive gesturing is natural and elegant. I'm running Skype/iPhone on it as well. Lightning fast for every thing it does. I haven't seen a slow down for any function after 20 hours of using/testing. Instant on from sleep. Amazing speed loading and rendering web pages. Have noticed the lack of flash, but it isn't fatal. Just annoying. GREAT purchase.

The pic accompanying the article says it all - the iPad is fine if you walk around all day clutching books to your chest like a schoolgirl. If not, you're going to want somethng smaller. Something the size of, say, a pack of cards that you can carry in your pocket. Hey, there's a great idea for a product.... I'm sorry? They already have what?

Apple has sold more of these on the first weekend than they did the iPhone. The iPhone hasn't gone away, so you haters out there will just have to get used to this device existing. Hating it won't make it go away ... it's just a waste of your energy.

This is an amazing product. You will not know until u test one. I can now peacefully read books and not worry about carrying them. I can do so many useful things and teach some interactive content to my 4 year old. We now have 2 of us fighting for the device. I probably buy one more for the 4 year old. It is one nice product. I don miss the webcam nor the flash nor the sd card slots or usb ports for the iPad. I was pretty sure what i was getting and it covers 90% of my needs!

Glad it's a hit for them. It's still way too expensive for way too little usefulness as far as I'm concerned. I like my iPhone a lot, but have very little interest in the iPad. Maybe when they announce a second-generation iPad, it will be more interesting.

Wow – have absolutely been blown away by ours. After a couple of hours in line, picked up 2 on Saturday and could not be happier.

This is one of the (very) few times where I have found tech hype to actually be *true*! Like the promo says, it just works. Netflix , iBook, ABC – tremendous. Response is quick, interface is super-easy to use. Using Good Reader I can finally take my PDF's along and they are actually useable. Since the speaker is so powerful, iPads even make amazingly good alarm clocks (yes, there's an app for that :) Everybody has different needs and tastes, but for me this device has blown every other MID out of the water in one fell swoop. Very impressive.

You couldn't pay me enough to use the ipad. Its features are extremely dumbed down. The mere fact that its little more than a computerized word processor is annoying. I'd rather have a real laptop or a gaming desktop.

I was all excited to buy the iPad at the store on Saturday. I didn't reserve one so I ended up making two trips to the store just to be able to get my hands on it. I was extremely excited to have bought it, when I opened it and played around with it, I wasn't as excited. Not as many books as Amazon's Kindle device, not that light, kind of heavy, many of the apps don't display clearly on the new device, typing is not easy at all. Most of the functionality of it remains exactly the same as the iPhone, most of what I can do on the iPad is already done on the iPhone, so why spend $500+ for something that is bigger and not a computer? It just reminds me of a overhyped, oversized iPhone. Apple certainly could have done a much better job with this iPad, I'm extremely disappointed!

But when i do finally decide which to buy, i will get one of those great little, $179 mini-laptops. They are great. I actually have a pocket in my jacket and in the summer i might just get an envelope with a strap to carry it around in.

The thing that is great is i can use my 16 gig flash card save all the stuff and when i get home put the card into m real computer. Or i can just plug the 500 gig usb drive into the mini-laptop.

The mini-lap tops have, wi fi, a camera, microphone, replaceable batteries, oh, and a keyboard/touch pad. What's great is i can put on lots of old programs that i already own, and do not need to buy more. Besides java covers about everything, with any browser now.

I always, shop and compare prices, so as to buy the least expensive of anything, when i can. When you buy one of these new wonderful mini-laptops, for like $179, and i've seen some for $149, you can afford, without any price pain, to upgrade in a few years as the faster chips come out.

And the whole point in life is to save money, not borrow it, or spend it.

Played with one over the weekend. It's nice. iPhone interface (meaning that it works well) and quite responsive. I'll probably get one once the price for the loaded version drops below $300 and they hit AT LEAST rev 3 of the hardware.

At this price and feature set, I am more than happy with my 3lb Gateway ultraportable notebook (EC14 series, dual core, 11.6" LCD, 320GB, 8hrs battery – $400) for surfing and movie watching on planes. - We all know that Apple will release the features that could (should?) have been included in the original release (no sour grapes here... that's Apple's marketing strategy as shown with the iPod/iPhone/Macbook poducts) at 6/12/18 month intervals so that early adopters will buy again, and again... and again.

The device will sell well and people will figure out cool things to do with their iPads. The hardware will get better and even more appealing. It's good design says that the iPad is around to stay, but for now I think I'll hold onto my laptop and desktop. :)

Cute Toy!! I am already paying $80 a mo for the IPhone.. to use the IPad pay ATT another $30.. and on top of my Hi Speed internet at home this is getting stupid. Counting all the fees we pay Ebay ..Paypal.. credit cards.. no wonder everyone is going bankrupt!!
ENough is enough!!

Wait until the end of April when the next iPad will come with 3G network capability for another $100 or so. Right now it is just WiFi. Within weeks there will be thousands of Apps. Afterall, the small screen of the iPhone does have some limitations for developers that the iPad obviously will not.

It is amazing how many apple fanbois there are out there. If you like it, buy it. People are upset to see so much attention paid to the overpromotion of a piece of electronic hardward that is going to "change everyone's lives."

I did not rush out to purchase one on Saturday. I even resisted the temptation on Sunday. Even if the price comes down from $500 to $400, I seriously doubt everyone in the country will own one.

If you have the disposable income, and want to waste it, that is your choice. Please stop trying to infect the rest of CNN's readership with this mind-numbing drivel.

My wife has owned and used her Kindle now for several years, and is happy with its functionality.

I think most intelligent people realize that there are more cost effective options available to the consumer today to surf the web and check their email.

I picked up two with the hopes to resell...Unfortunately, some Nigerians scammers tried buying mine, so I have to wait for eBay to sort out the mess (since eBay is trying to charge me $100 for these fake "sales". Maybe Craigslist will be better?

I already returned it, Curious to see those numbers.....Besides Cnn & a few more websites (literally few), It didn't like the flash on most. Maybe when they get it right.....or one of the upcoming Android Tablets.

No thanks, I'll wait for HP to release the slate or some other tablet style device that isn't an over sized iPod and can do actual computer stuff running Windows 7. The iPad looks cool, but that's about it, like most Mac products they look cool but can't really do anything.

Why are so many of you asking CNN not to cover the Ipad. You are all ridiculous –did you ever think of just not reading the article if you are not interested. Inundated with Ipad news just say no to reading it. Some of CNN's readers and viewers are interested in hearing about it. Ipad is big new in the US. Apple is one of this country's largest, richest and most innovative. Give it some credit and chill out with your censorship nonsense.

People have commented a lot here about others just hating Apple. Personally, my problem is that I get the feeling Apple is milking consumers. My wifes laptop is nearly the same size, yet can do all the same things, for a cheaper price tag. It feels like a scam to me, and yet Apple fans take it personally.

I have to admit it.... I have iPad envy! Tried it out at Best Buy this weekend. It is a sweet little pad. I'm not interested in reading books on it so the lack of books didn't bother me. What I was interested in were how the photos performed... they are wonderful! This would be a Perfect accessory to my DSLR when I'm out and about. And then to be able to be sitting with someone and share the pictures – great! Even though I want one now, I'll wait for the next generation just because I'm too afraid Apple will do some significant upgrade and I'll be stuck with an "old, less productive" model ; )

Can't believe how much hype this one device has gotten, despite its shortcomings, of which there are several notable exceptions.

I am not a MAC hater, I am a user of technology that does a job, and for me, the iPad fails miserably in several key areas.

I have used Apple products in the past when they have done the job that I required at the time.

I can't believe how many sheep joined the herd and went right out and bought this product, many without reading reviews or knowing what they will do with it. To use the iPad as an eReader only seems a little bit of overkill when an eReader is half the price.

We're in the middle of a recession folks – to rush out and buy the latest $500 gadget (or even two or three of them) when you have a gadget that does better (lots of folks who bought this will already own a MacBook with more portability and usefulness than an iPad) is just plain stupid.

I wonder how many people skipped a mortgage payment or added to their credit card debt in order to purchase this device. If you didn't have a specific use for it and didn't pay cash up front for this device, you were likely duped by the hype and by Apple's marketing department.

If you get foreclosed because you bought the iPad instead of paying off your mortgage, I have absolutely no sympathy for you.

If you had a specific use for it and were able to pay cash on the nose, I hope you enjoy it.

In total agreement with several comments on here; stop hating on Apple! If you like your PC and Android products, then good for you - I'm truly happy for you. I pre-ordered two 3G-enabled iPads, andI can't wait the three weeks for them to arrive! Go buy the HP slate, or Sony, or whatever else mac-haters, but leave us alone.

And one more thing, Mac users will tout the product all day, but how come when I ask a Mac user if they have played this game, or that one, the standard response is, " I can't play that, I have a Mac." I am a gamer, making my push to be pro. How many professional gamers have a Mac?

I love it. I've already transfered all my college lecture notes to my iPad, taken my grade books off my laptop and seamlessly imported them into "numbers" and now am waiting for my test book publisher to make me a digital version of the textbook I use. 15 pounds and three things down to 1.5 pounds on the iPad.

I find it interesting that people who state that the people buying the iPad are Apple fanatics, and are sheep following the flock. I don't think that is the case, because you have to remember Microsoft holds more than ninety percent of PC market. As a Microsoft buyer and user since 1989, and a recent Apple buyer in 2007.

Why do people hate Apple? Is it because they cannot cause havoc on their devices as they can with others? I guess I'll never know. There will be people who like Apple and those who don't.

The iPad is the latest offering by Apple that enters into an area of computing that Microsoft and PC makers went into and didn't do well. If PC users were demanding this product then why haven't they found the success? The fact that Apple got people interested in this line of computing is a kudos for them.

I purchased an iPad, and it does everything that I expected the device to do. It meets my needs for what I intended to use it for. The fact that it doesn't have a USB or an internal memory card slot was a bonus to me. I didn't want to have to connect a optical drive or external hard drive. Flash Video is annoying for my web surfing, so it will not be missed. Email and web surfing is as fast as surfing on my laptop.

There will always be haters of Apple, and there will be people who will never have anything nice to say about anything. All we can do is check out the products ourselves and make our own decisions. I made mine, and I would have to say I would buy it again if I had to go back.

@ David, The problem is not that I love my PC and hate Mac. It's pushy Mac owners who slam my PC every chance they get that has gotten me irritated. I am constantly intterupted when talking about PC's with someone by some stranger butting in, "You should get a Mac, it's great, never crashes." It also won't run anything I usually run, so leave me alone about it.

For the kindle fans: kindle is just the hardware.. E books are provided by amazon who has already released te free iPad app. Download it and you have access to every book the kindle hardware device has,

I remember an Eddie Murphy bit where all the kids of the neighborhood get into a chorus line to mock Eddie for not having any ice cream. This is how I picture these people shouting "sheep" and "fanbois" at iPad buyers... sorry you don't have one because your momma's on the welfare, but to those of us who DO have one...?

I love how all the APPle sheep have to justify buying this overpriced POS. Couldn't find anything better to spend your money on?

Anyone with a brain who knows cpu's and follows technology knows this thing sucks and HP and Sony are going to put out a product that does 10x more than the Ipad does and doesn't require a crappy monthly AT@T subscription.

Kudos to Apple for rounding up their sheep once again to buy a product that could do so much more...but doesn't. lol.

The iPad is a great product if you use it for exactly what it is intended for, reading the websites and content that Apple wants you to read. Other than that, it's a complete waste of money. Any of the media you can get on the iPad you can get cheaper on any of the other readers out there. It is wonderful for reading comic books or other graphical interfaces though, like children's books. I'd still rather have a physical book that I don't mind when my child chews the corners off.

As for people complaining about all the iPad articles, it's not that they're upset that it's the iPad being covered, it's that there isn't anything else being covered on CNN. Is the iPad the only technical news out there? Please find some more stories.

It's an overgrown iphone... full sized internet is its biggest selling point, but if they don't allow flash on it then it will never fly. Hopefully this will be the kick apple needs in its backside to stop blocking flash.

I have more iPods than I can count and my wife has the latest iPhone but I just don't see the need (at least in my household) for the iPad. As an ebook reader, the biggest drawback is that you can't use it outdoors in bright sunlight (where I use my Kindle most of the time). Without a dedicated keyboard, I don't see the advantage over a small laptop. I'm happy for everyone who has or will buy one and is enjoying it but I'm still struggling with seeing the advantages of this product over what's already available

Love it. The graphics rock. The book reader is wonderful. I found that it could easily capture the attention of my granddaughter when reading books in color. Photo manipulation adds a new dimension. I was skeptical at first, but am thrilled to work with something so cool. Heck, I can touch type from the screen without just using two fingers. Apple has a winner.

Not really sure why people hate Apple so much.... I am far from a techno weenie but I love my Ipod, Iphone and Ipad – easy to use, so much to offer.

Besides Apple is an American company... people should be excited about that! An American company that is excelling in electronics and technology... I just don't get it......

If you don't see the benefits of using Apple products (hello no viruses. hello free apps. hello free GPS) then you just don't know how to use the product. My Iphone kicks the crap out of any Verizon "smart phone" I have ever owned (and been significantly cheaper in regards to GPS and apps). The higher cost of Apple prodcuts are well worth it.....

I think it has a lot of potential for traveling – with kids or alone to be able to read on plane, go to internet, do some work, see the photos – carry them with to show the family.....I think it is great product, and I feel sorry for those who waste their energy on hate. How ridiculous to hate Apple! Have something better to do in your life, please.

GETTY and HITLER is awesome on the iPad. To coincide with the iPad release ... GETTY and HITLER is being released throughout the web - as Director Cuts - before it opens at major theaters.

Excerpt …

I earned the Getty Oil Company shareholders 4 Billion Bucks
On the Reserve acquisition; the way they treat me - it really sucks!
As the Getty inheritors bask in glee;
All I asked for was that they look after me.
Four billion dollars they earned on Reserve
My fee I surely deserve.
It turns out J.P. Getty may have been a Nazi;
His family even goes back to Germany.
With Hitler, Goring & Goebbels he did stand;
While trying to undermine the American land!
For paintings & artifacts he did receive
With his oil he was able to deceive?
Hoover & the FBI & Roosevelt they knew
That J.P. Getty & espionage he drew!
Many a young lad and Jew did die
As planes dropped bombs from the sky.
For years while Getty sat in Berlin
He may have committed many a sin.
The ashes and smoke from the chimneys it rose
While old man Getty sat cozy; he chose.
With artwork held tightly under his arm
Still dripping in blood - as the real owner met harm.
Into the ovens & on meat-hooks, bullets between the eyes
Listen very carefully you can still hear their cries!
While the Gettys sit in England; at their estate at Wormsley
And Gordon sings in San Francisco
With his 727 in tow.
The Getty museum sits atop Malibu
While the corpses of World War 2 scream - J.P. Getty - We know you!

I reserved one, was in the store on Saturday to get my hands on it, but passed. I was really looking forward to an Apple "netbook"–which would allow me full computing and video, in a smaller package....the AirMac is still too big, elegant, but too big.

Too much I cannot do. And if I were to watch videos or movies, I prefer the laptop which I can put on my stomach in bed, rather than hold up the iPad in order to see the screen.

I am so tired of the Apple haters. Apple is doing well. DEAL WITH IT!
Go ahead and buy that $179 1GB ram POS mini laptop. Enjoy, and leave the Apple community with its 30+ years of excellent innovations alone. What has Microsoft done other than steal things from Apple anyway? Gadgets? Dock? Truetype? AAC? Nope... All Apple inventions that Microsoft claims they "invented" Pathetic. Enjoy scanning for viruses and spyware guys, while I enjoy my apple equipment.

I bought one. They are cool and all, but the lack of portability is what gets me. I thought I'd replace my iPhone with the iPad but I don't want to carry the iPad everywhere I go. So basically it is just used at home like a laptop. I can't wait to travel with the 10 hour movie life though... and the ebooks are actually pretty cool.

I went in to look at them on saturday and bought it because the store only had one more of the model I wanted. I have to say I'm really glad I did. Surfing the web on it is awesome and the keyboard is really quick and responsive. In fact I'm writing this on my iPad

I recently purchased two of the 3G models after experiencing it first hand at an Apple retail store. I found the device to be simply amazing and outstanding at the specs that Apple focused on. I have been telling everyone that they will not put a camera in the iPad or all the hardware to play flash required browsers because that would defeat the purpose of selling this particular product. Apple wants you to purchase a laptop or desktop and an iPad. Why would they put all the specs of a laptop into a relatively cheap device? They want all the Apple fans and those contemplating on jumping the fence to purchase an iPad for its portability but still own a regular computer!!!

When it's priced at or below the price of Kindle, I'll consider it. I love my iPod Nano... don't have an iPhone because my company requieres us to have Blackberry's to be on server, and I use a Microsoft laptop instead of a Mac (also due to corporate requierments).

I don't see the advantages of the iPad except for the eReader aspect. If I can get one for the same price as a Kindle – i'll take it. I don't need all of the other stuff.. i'm not going to pay extra to hook it up to the web when I already do that for my laptop & Blackberry Bold.

My one real disappointment is regarding Flash which takes away great sites like Hulu. However I had a great time playing with the ipad. Some the games were a lot of fun. I did find it was a little strange originally dealing with such a large handheld device but it is a quick adjustment.

It's amazing to me how many people get on here and blast CNN for posting another story about the iPad.

Folks, there are LOTS of stories on CNN. And I don't take the time to post on every one of them saying "I'm not interested – why do you keep posting stories about politics?"... yet these folks feel they have to take the time to post about a story they don't care about.

Here's a novel idea – if you don't care... DON'T READ THE STORY. And further... DON'T POST A COMMENT. Just move on to the latest about LIndsay Lohan, or whatever drivel you DO care about.

To all the Apple sheep, it doesn't matter what it CAN'T do. All they care about is that it is Apple and they got it first. IT DOESN'T SUPPORT FLASH YOU MORONS! Hahahaa...dude, almost every website on the internet uses flash. Are you kidding me? Why would you buy this POS to surf the internet when it doesn't support flash, the most used technology on the internet.

Then next year when a new one comes out with better functionality, all the sheep will be whining like little girls that they wasted their money to be the "first" one to get it and now a better one is out. Just like the iphone!

Other than it's the latest tech toy and the latest product from Apple, which requires people to sleep in line overnight, I'm not seeing anything that would cause me to buy one. Can someone explain what the attraction is. Can you download e-books from i-Tunes, for instance?

If I was to buy a tablet (which I think are wastes of money anyway) I'd wait a couple months for an Android tablet with HDMI output to 1080p, 3 usb ports, multi tasking (which means I could use it for music and reading at the same time...gasp... what a novel idea!!!) Flash support, front facing camera, and a multi card reader. Oh yeah, I'd spend less on it as well. Just saying.....

Using my iPad to type this. The one commentor who made himself look like the true idiot he is speaks for all the other Apple haters saying you can't print from it enough said, WOW your a numb nut cause yes u can. I downloaded the app that let's you wifi or 3G print from anywhere. Next PC lover who thinks they know something.....

What's even funnier is that so much of what PCs do today was started by Apple. I remember PC users laughing at the idea of icons which was introduced by Apple, yeah learn you computer history

Dude...the iPad isnt made for gaming and "fun" stuff. It just comes with those EXTRAS. Sheesh. The iPad originated from the old touch screen pda idea and has been developed from a work sorce, hand-held tablet, to a small protable sized touch screen phenomenon. So shut ur pie holes. sheesh. Steve Jobs did amazing...congragulate his genius, and be jealous. I know i am. Hes a pro.

@She: Why not use your laptop? i don't mean to be rude I just don't see the point of tablets. If I"m at home and want to read a book I can use my laptop, the actual book, or my desktop. If I want to watch a movie I can do it on my flatscreen or my laptop or desktop. I just don't see what the big deal is. Also does anyone know if this thing has a battery that you can remove yourself?

It's not that we 'hate' Apple or its innovations. In fact, just the opposite. But when there's hype and an over-induldgence of free advertising over functionality already available in the marketplace – spare me already! And, after being informed of this fact, CNN continues to ignore this message and print the same stuff – shut-up already!

@ Martin – 'If you get foreclosed for not paying your mortgage' because you bought an iPad..... what a stupid thing to say and how patronising assuming that grown adults can't afford $500 and would be irresponsible with their income.

Get a life Martin, shouldn't you be counting your beans instead of commenting on here.

If people want to spend their hard-earned cash on a new piece of technology, who are you to criticise?

I wrote a review on my blog aboutiphoto.com but I do like it a lot. I especially like it for watching movies. I already have a kindle but I will keep it easier on the eyes and if you don't know amazon still has all the major contracts to the major publishers which is why iBooks is limited

Switched from PC to Mac three years ago and am a loyal Apple customer for life! We have 2 Macs, 5 current ipods, 2 iphones, 1 ipad...and will be adding another iphone and 2 ipads very soon. Apple products are intuitive, fun to use, and it doesn't have the same problematic quirks that I found with windows-based products.

It was enjoyable lounging around with a lightweight, portable product that could easily be read, watch a movie, and switch to reading the paper. This will be my favorite travel tool!

It will be as loved by school-aged kids as the seniors mentioned in previous posts. As a stay-at-home mom, it is my tech item of choice.

You guys a ridiculous. think about it. What is the iPad about? Being easy to use. How many people have parents or grandparents that are scared to use a computer because they just dont know how to use it? This is designed for those people. Now they don't have to worry about if they need a dual core or quad core or 2,4,6,8 gb of ram or to get an integrated video card or a geforce 9800gt to get a 1tb hard drive or a 250gb. They can buy this and thats it. You dont even need a mouse or keyboard. You pick it up and touch the app you want to use. No anti virus no anti spyware. You dont have to worry about using microsoft mail or mozilla thunderbird or what one is easier to hack.

This is designed to simplify the computer. It is not ment to be a super computer that u can play games on, browse the internet, play your music, watch a video and download stuff at the same time. It is not ment to plug 2 or 3 monitores in and have 4 1tb hard drives to store all your useless crap.

and no one cares if your not going to buy one

It is simple listen to music and browse the net, check your email, watch a movie. Play a little game from the app store that costs no more then $5.

I really think that the iPad has been made the center of a debate that is about more than a new tablet device for a lot of people. The concept of the iPad being brought to market as a device to attempt to find a niche between a laptop and a smartphone is not focused on as much as the debates over what technology is best or what company is better than some other company.

With a clear mind, most people should agree that we are all becoming more technology savvy and companies continue to use technology to reduce costs, be more efficient, etc and that there could be a growing need for this type of device in the world today. Granted, it may be up to Apple to prove it.

The device really should be considered outside of just the personal need / want spectrum. A general consumer population is always going to be all over the map with what they want vs what a particular product provides. The greater use will be in the areas that no one is currently focusing on. For example, college students could start buying their books for an iPad instead of paperbacks from a bookstore. Or, a traveling repair man can take all the manuals he/she needs around on the job in an "always-on" device. The device could even be checked out at conferences to guests to allow for them to have all the content, web pages, videos, etc for the conference available to take around with them. Think outside the box and you will see that this device represents more than a debate over Flash or USB.

As a former computer tech, former ISP CEO, and many other positions in the tech world, I have a lot of issues with some of the reviews. It would seem to me that people went out and bought the iPad based on rumors and not what the actual thing can do. Lets get this straight...

-You cannot make calls on it
-It is not a laptop or desktop replacement
-The 3g version has not even hit shelves yet

Ok now that is out of the way...

As someone who used to build PC's for a living, who is a former Microsoft Certified Engineer, and certified Apple Repair Tech, I see a lot of use for this type of device. I for one know it will never replace my laptop or desktop machines, nor would I purchase it for that reason. Also, I would not want it as a replacement for my T-Mobile MyTouch either. I purchase things for specific tasks. My desktop is where I spend a good portion of my day, working on projects, gaming (WoW, CoH), and taking care of general technical functions. I am also a student, and do my homework for my change of professions (technical changing to healthcare) on my bigger systems. Having dealt with the Microsoft operating systems for the last 15 years, I recently, when I started my change if education, changed over to the mac computers for my own use. For what my main needs are, the mac is a better system. I own 2 MacBook Pro's and a Mac Mini. Between the various systems, I can do pretty much everything I need to do.

For me, the purchase of the iPad would be a luxury item. I have very specific uses in mind for it, sitting on the couch, needing to do a quick website lookup, or send a quick email, or post a quick social-networking post. I also want it to be able to access the iBook Reader. I love to read, but with the amount that I do read, I am running out of room to keep all the hard-back copies of books running around. So the convenience of being able to pull up iBook and read that way is something I look forward to. Also being wheelchair bound, I always carry a backpack with my, that has tires, tubes, and tools in it. Those items limit what else I can carry in my bag. The ability to carry the iPad in my bag to have access to information easily is also a nice feature (when the 3g come out it will be at least). I am also a season ticket holder for a NBA team, and to have the courtside app which provides up-to-the-minute information while at the game will also be a nice feature. Sure I can do all of the things I want to on my laptop, but we are talking about a smaller 1.5 pound 9 inch wide item versus a 6-8 pound laptop that is 15-17 inches wide. In terms of taking it with me everywhere, the portability is a major boon. For me, I am looking forward to the release of the 3g version of the iPad. For what I want the device to do, it should easily surpass my expectations. I simply want the device to be a compliment to my laptop, desktop and smartphone.

For those who wrote nasty reviews, either you have not yet seen one in person, or expected more than what the apple.com website said it was going to do. If you did indeed do the research and thought it thru, you would have been able to offer a fair review, or not purchase the iPad at all. This is a revolutionary device that fills a complementary role in technology. This is the stagehand, not the main actor.

The iPhone faceplate cracks after a bit and Apple knows this is a problem. I've plenty of friends who are number 4 or 5 because of this problem. Fast forward to the iPad and an existing problem now just on a larger screen...yeah, go out and buy one IMMEDIATELY! Sheep.

The reason people hate on the iPad is because idiot fanboy sheeps buy it without even ever holding it and then they declare its the best thing ever. Yeah right. In a year another slate will be out that's 100x better, just as there are tons of touchscreen phones way better than the iPhone. Apple customers are just too dumb to try something new.

Well, here I am trying to figure out what the iPad DOES, but I'm finding out what it DOES NOT do. And it does not do anything I do, but it does everything I don't do, so I guess I don't need this thing! I'm told that it's a CONTENT CONSUMPTION DEVICE. What is that? I don't have time to mindlessly Twitter, play games, or mess around with all these "apps". Being a graphic artist and musician, I would like to create something if I ever do have some idle time such as waiting at the airport or doing the laundry, and the iPad does not even have a usb port, camera, etc., etc. What I do like is the Acer netbook I got recently. Does everything a regular sized laptop does, good size, and a hefty well made piece of equipment. Really, I don't get this iPad.

How is the iPad any different than a large iPod touch? Since when it making something large considered revolutionary? Looks to me like Apple just rehashed the same old ideas into a bigger box and suckered people into the hype. Pet rock anyone?

While I'm sure it's a neat toy, I usually only spend this much money on tools that have other uses, so I will not likely be buying it.

Without a keyboard, it's just a reader. Touch screen keyboards just don't feel the same as a normal keyboard, and when you're used to touch-typing quickly, touch screens result in a lot of typos. When I mess up when I'm typing on a regular keyboard, I can feel where my fingers fell wrong, and I can typically correct it without looking. A touch keyboard doesn't have this option.

I think I'll get a netbook. Has a keyboard. Had interwebs. Can fold down so the screen doesn't get al scratched up. Maybe I'll get an iPad after another generation or so of them, but not this thing.

"I bought an iPad on impulse this saturday. Its a great product! Certainly not perfect, but once you start using a touchscreen tablet like the iPad, surfing the web on a laptop will not cut it.

If you don't like apple,or the iPad, I'm sure there will be many great android tablets to come out in the future, and I'm telling you for casual web suring at home..its the way to go!"

____________________________________________

mike, it still doesn't have the ability to play Flash. Therefore it has not revolutionized web surfing. Half the websites out there are in Flash. iPad is lame. Just a wealthy person's little toy gadget.

Would be curious to take poll – how many people paid cash versus credit for the iPad? If one of the arguments is that it is relatively inexpensive, how important is it to have one? To sacrifice the cash in your pocket, or pay over time with credit, which in turn will end up costing a lot more.

I don't have one yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I really wanted an iPod Touch with the 3G data connection of an iPhone, but without the phone. The fact that it has a nice big useful touch screen is just icing on the gravy.

No USB ports or SD / CF memory card slots. In order to download pictures from my camera I need to buy an adapter for additional money. What were they thinking by not adding those two most important parts. Good luck with the people who think they can get rid of their laptops.

@Brian: "it still doesn't have the ability to play Flash. Therefore it has not revolutionized web surfing."

Manipulating web pages with your fingers is such a step forward, you won't want to go back to using a regular computer with mouse. As for Flash, I have already eliminated it from my laptop and desktop. So much for it being 'the real web'. No it isn't. I no longer have browser crashes and do not put up with annoying adverts. Flash is bad bad bad for the web.

I didn't buy one, but I tested out my brothers. It is a nice device, but for $500 I don't need this device. I have a smartphone that does everything I need (including flash) or saw the device do, plus I have a PC already. I can see why a lot of people would want to buy it such as for reading books on the go, but I prefer paperback still.

I waited till this was announced, and bought an iPod Touch. The iPad looks like a great device but I can carry the touch in my pocket, check email on wifi, bid on an eBay auction or whatever, and then put it away. The iPad takes an extra hand to carry that I don't have (my left hand is usually holding my cane so I can walk!)

If this iPad is really much better than laptops and is going to be a laptop killer, then I would expect Apple to kill off its own line of MacBook laptops. When do you think Apple will start killing its MacBooks? (or will they??) Maybe the laptop won't go away?

Bought it, Love it, only debate was storage space, went 64 Gig. I will never be disappointed with it. Web cam? I still have a laptop to go with this that has a web cam. If I want to video chat, I usually have to plan it with the other person on the other side at a certain time. The IPAD for me is fast and convenient and for spontaneous Facebook posts, quick Emails, quick information look up on the web. I can also listen to my music anywhere, watch videos and youtube. Does it all. Many Apps to choose from already. Sports scores updates? No problem. Should I keep going? PC work great as well for this, I use both PC and Mac. They all work. This is what works for me.

I think the ipad is too large, fragile and not practical to carry around w/u....the iphone is compact and has same features.....also much cheaper....if I was going to spend $500-$800 usd, I'd rather spend it on a nice labtop which offers same features....ipad not worth it!!!!!!!

1 – The iPad isn't for everyone. Just because it doesn't fit YOUR needs doesn't mean it's worthless. There's a market for this device. Yeah, if you already have an iPhone, a netbook, an e-reader, etc. you may not see the point. But plenty of people don't. Plenty of people want something simple that boots instantly and lets them show pictures, browse the web, watch videos, send emails, play some games, etc. that they can sit on the couch with or take to a coffeeshop. Do you complain when you buy a car that it doesn't fly too? If a product doesn't suit your needs, then it's not intended for you.

2 – Flash will likely be approaching obsolescence in a few years. See HTML5.

3 – I'm a long-time Mac owner and iPhone user, but I won't be getting one of these just yet. I am in the 'it doesn't do enough that my iPhone doesn't to be worth that kind of money' camp. But when the price comes down, I'll almost certainly buy one – there are a lot of things I'd be happy to do on a larger screen that don't require a real laptop.

4 – CNN covers the news. When a Fortune 500 company releases a major new product, that's news. Don't read it if you don't care.

Notice the hype and the craziness of all these people. They all act like children. What is the big deal about buying this product. A week from now all the store assistants will be sitting idle wondering how to sell this junk. It is not more than an IPOD Touch. What is the big deal? Are you paying all the money just for the simple big screen? Wait for another 6 months to 1 year. All the people who bought this IPAD I will see in the user forums will start complaining about this is missing, that is not working etc.

Also relying on one company, hyping their product in my opinion is a myth. Either the people lift the company to heavens height or they will trash by putting the company under their feet. This is the order of this world. Now it is hype time you guys. Let us all wait. wait. wait.

I love my new iPad, it is what I have been waiting for . I do not need another phone or camera for that matter, but wanted to be able to read books, get to the dictionary with one touch, watch favorite TV shows and navigate my email easily. It does all that and

I remained defiant and called it a fan boy fluke until I saw one, but then I ended up with two. It's really something you have to see and touch to understand. It's the most beautiful way to read and enjoy those things you like to do in bed or on the couch every evening. Not something I'd tote around with me all day but definitely a must have for the wifi enabled home or coffee shop.

Well I have read some of this with interest and really have no opinion on the IPad except this. I couldnt help but notice the pictures of people buying these things with looks of dare I say rapture on their faces. I noticed that a great many of those pictures were of seemingly young urbanites. Then I read that Apple sold 300,000 on the first day at lets see Oh I dont know just average at $500 per....do the math. Now the question that I cant help but ask is how many of these buyers are the very same I have seen on so many news vines criminalizing big business and capitalism and disparaging the plight of the poor and uninsured etc etc etc while going out and spending their money frivolously on toys. Perhaps if that money had gone to something more worthy like helping someone out of work it would have been better used......just saying

obuisly steve jobs those not want you to gett rid of your laptop or macbook thats the reason it those not have USB ports or SD / CF memory card slots and flash or a webcam he just want you to get addicted to a whole new gadget

I think I'll buy an iPad when they develop the technology to make one small enough that I can fit it in my pocket. And once they figure out a way to squeeze a camera and GPS (heck even a phone would be cool if they ever figure out how to fit one in) then that would be something worth having ;-)

I have never owned an iAnything. I bought mine so I could check my email and access the internet without having to lug around a laptop. As a bonus, I like the way maps shows your current location using Skyhook Wireless. So cool!

I would like it aside from two things: No Flash AND the onscreen keyboard.

A keyboard like that is fine on the iPhone, but it is not acceptable on a device that is supposed to be a computer.

You can't TYPE correctly on it, having to do the contorted things you do on cell phone keyboards.

That on-screen keyboard really is limiting because you can't rest your hands on the "keys" or it thinks you want to type that letter. I tried it multiple times and it was incredibly awkward and difficult. Make that impossible.

You can download a kindle app for free, and purchase books right through Amazon for the Kindle price. So I am not sure what that person is talking about when he says the books are more expensive...
The IPad is great.

The pic accompanying the article says it all – the iPad is fine if you walk around all day clutching books to your chest like a schoolgirl. If not, you're going to want somethng smaller. Something the size of, say, a pack of cards that you can carry in your pocket. Hey, there's a great idea for a product.... I'm sorry? They already have what?

[...] companies will be able to prevent themselves from collapsing under their own weight. And so... CNN, the New York Times, USA Today, Fox News, MSNBC, Letterman [CBS], Colbert [Comedy Central], and [...]

I got mine saturday morning. I love it so far. Only complain is of the iPad case I bought. It gets dirty easily. Other then that I love it. I've bought one book in the iBookstore and downloaded a couple free ones from there as well. My favorite app so far is the Elements. Very beautiful periodic table.

Though there is no "i" in Apple, they have been introducing "iProducts" as iPhone, iPod and now iPad successfully. iPad just introduced seem to get a good reception by Apple enthusiasts. Judging from the lines to get an iPad, I think it will do well.

My friend got one this weekend so I messed with it for a while. I can't get over the fact that it doesn't have flash player. I would say 70% of websites have flash and for this not to have it but yet claim "the best internet surfing experience" is ridiculous and completely false. NO USB ports, NO webcam, NO flash player. WASTE OF MONEY.

To those who purchased the iPad, did you purchase the 16/32/64G or RAM models? Have you compared the speed, etc against the other models (16 vs 32 and 32 vs 64)? I am looking at purchasing one when the 3G comes out, just wondering so I will know which model to purchase. mainly buying for a text book read, research device while on the train.

As a student at Cornell, my purchase of the iPad will most definitely make my life easy! To say the least, the iPad does not replace my laptop but it will ease the burden of having to carry 5 to 10 book on my back from one end of campus to the other. Moreover, the iPad will reinvent "fun." With a plethora of app from several plus categories, I have way too many options for my device. Overall, it is pricey but the opportunity cost of not having this device is fairly high. I love my iPad and everything Apple!

I luv apple but these my friends is a god dam shame, shame on those dummy's out there who bought a icrap u bought ur self 1 useless crapy icrap......look 4 those who bought a ipad i have a new invation im selling printers, printers that don't print u could just view it on ur screen it starts off AT 550 bucks 4 those dummys out there who bought a icrap.

As always, Apple has again launched a product that is functional, elegant and WORKS. It's part of a highly integrated ecosystem that makes life easier.... simply by virtue of everything being in one place. It's just better all the way around.... period.

I have had a chance to play with an IPad, and while it'll would be great for web browsing and other things we all do to waste time on the internet, but I would not trade my Kindle for reading. The bright backlit screen of the IPad hurts my eyes over time and is not very conducive to extended reading, a problem the Kindle does not have. I'm sure those of you that have to look at a computer screen all day know what I'm talking about.

To all you who use it for school, how do you plan to interface with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel? What about those who use it for work that use the same programs? To be honest, this just seems like a $500 internet browser with a touch screen on it. Glad those who have it are happy, but just isn't exactly all the "bells and whistles" it really should have to warrant the price. Not being able to multi-task nor run Flash is kind of stupid IMO. Flash will probably go away for HTML5, but it hasn't yet....

I can't afford to buy an iPad! I sure hope Obama can brings us reform in the iPad industry!! Where's my free iPad!! As an American citizen, it is my right to get an iPad, whether I can afford it or not!! Come on Obama, what's up man, where's my iPad!!

What exactly is meant by Cult of Mac? I think it's rediculous...Mac makes great products, which offered features PC never could, and because it sells abundant amounts of technology it's a cult? Come on....

You know the iPod was not the first mp3 player, but they managed to wrap it up in a sleek package and get you to sign up for the downloads at 99 cents each. But as you know if a friend wants to send you a iPod mp3 file from their library, they can't figure out how to do it. (Yes, I know how, but some don't, they aren't geeks.) I have a mp3 maker from Magix and convert all my cd's from there so I can simply email to my friends a music file without dealing with iTunes! The point is, just because something is "cool", does not mean it will do what you want it to do. Find out it's features first and see if it's right for you.

Who cares? First they all wanted this tiny handheld, "the latest thing", now they want a larger device, "the latest thing". These users have more money than sense and Apple is laughing all the way to the bank.

Here is a little story. I meet with my best friend every few weeks for drinks in downtown manhatten. He gives me an address, I look it up on my iphone, lo and behold, train directions, map, with walking and turn by turn.. Now if only i didn't have to hold it 6 inches from my face as I walk trying to find the street.... Oh wait... they invented that! Ipad!

On the train ride home, I wanted to read a book (normally not a problem for me after 3 beers over the course of two hours) only, on the train, slightly inebriated, my Iphone is too small!! damn it.. let me watch a movie..oh wait... same problem.

Iphone: A device I LOVE with a passion. Pro's: quickly search the web, check email, get info, make calls. Con's As pretty as the screen is, it's small, not intended for long term viewing situations, hard to type anything of length, and reading is a nightmare.

Ipad: Solves ALL of the above problems: Cons: On AT&T..oh wait this summer...

I tried it and there are many issues with this type of tablets:
1. Proximity of the screen to the eyes. Due to high contrast to help with small font visibility, the eye strain is intolerable after a short period of use. Reading after a couple of minutes cause pain to the eyes. I placed the Kindle next to the iPad and moves my vision from one to the other. It was clearly that the Kindle was more comfortable to the eyes. Kids staring at this kind of display will have negative impact on the vision, aggravating the near sightedness.
2. The weight. Too heavy to hold it for a long period of time.
3. Limited usability. At least for now.

@Maccat, in response to this part of your post "Apple has no interest in hearing from it's customers, fans, or clients. That's the one thing I dislike most about Apple – their INPUT box doesn't exist!"

I love the haters, its under Tech, its news, get over it.
As for bashing Macs saying they can't run games, they can do everything a PC can and more, because Macs are PCs you can run windows on them too! As for being a pro gamer, well first off get a life, and two I play some Oblivion and CS Source on the PC side but honestly isn't the hot gaming market all on console now? Anyway since the US will finely boost their internet here in the next decade, catch up to the rest of the world, I'm assuming services like OnLive will take over all gaming and it wont matter what device we use at all.

LOL at people who can't lug around a 8-10lb laptop. I guess you're weak eating only veggies and sipping espressos at your local exotic coffee house. You sure you could afford this with your monthly Prius payments?

I reserved and then went to the Apple store near me to purchase my reserved iPad. Today (Monday) I'm returning it. For some reason, the wifi is hideously slow in my own home, right next to my 2007 Mac Book Pro with full signal bars, the iPad has only a smidge of one bar and the "spinning wheel of death" continues much longer than my patience does regarding loading a site. The other and main reason I'm returning my iPad is because it has no USB port. I frequently travel to the Oregon Coast and there is no wifi where I stay. Without the USB port my wireless AT&T card cannot be used. It's a great idea Apple, but not quite baked.

One thing I'm hearing about the iPad is that you need a good case. Quirky, a crowdsourcing product development site, has created a great iPad case, the "Cloak." The Quirky community took the feedback from thousands of contributors to create a very useful product. Check it out on their site: http://www.quirky.com/?r=1051ea53e0ad2510bd9dc41e5facebe9

Everybody keeps saying that is "Large iTouch or iPod", but it does not have even camera. Hope I am wrong.

But love this event, go Apple (share owner), all you buyers go buy it fast and help me make some money. After few months, Apple will come out with another rev with one more feature added and then many more will buy first time... and rest will trade up......

Awesome deal for SJ and APPL and all Share holders..... keep buying.....

That picture looks pretty gay. I'm not too sure about that as a man, holding that device like that. Thats enough for me to like... not want to buy the iPad. AND its called the iPad!

In my estimation, as a user you really have to ask yourself if the iPad is just a toy, just another material tech thing to fill in some void you have OR if its really a tool that will help you in your life. And when I say HELP YOU I'm talking about if it really will help you get organized, help you financially, professionally, in education and so on.

If you're forking $500+ for it just because you're curious, you MAY just be a geek enamored by superficial tech-tainment toys. Or perhaps you're just like those people who talk about the latest movie they saw on Monday morning who just want to own one for social standing or maybe financial status. Its like a fancy tech toy.

Forget the initial price. On kindle, I get email, surf the web etc FOR NOTHING, NADA, Zilch..No $30 per month fees on top of the $800
up front cost. And I have a USB on the kindle and swap items from PC to kindle and back. No thanks Apple. I'll keep my money in my wallet. Brilliant marketing though.

I predict this product will not last. Yeah hipsters and yuppies will flock to buy them. Maybe they'll even create ipad knapsacks that will hold it snugly so you can safely transport it from Trader Joe's to your loft on your Vespa. Uh oh...I must be a "hater." I can see how it could be useful for college students that lug huge books everywhere. That is until they are stolen, because they are incredibly visible and they all look alike.

I already have a mac laptop. I think my 500 dollars could be better spent on something other than a large iphone that doesn't make calls during the worst recession in 30 years. Thank you Mr. Jobs for making me feel bad that I am broke and now officially uncool and also I'm a "hater" which really gets me.

Spent part of the weekend messing around with my iPad. What a fantastic tool.

While it is a perfect 'media consumption' device, having an iPhone I can see thousands of useful apps that are going to be developed to take advantage of this format. From sales people to auto repair shops, this will become a powerful tool in many businesses tool kits.

Bravo Apple, well done!

For those who just don't get it...that;s fine. Why you're even bothering to post actually speaks volumes.

I picked up one for my mother. She certainly will love this gadget since it will do everything she wants (web browsing, email, music/video, little bit of game). My two kids (2 and 5) certainly pick up the functions right away since we have ipod touch and iphone.

I have to say it is as light as you can ask for as a tablet but it certainly feel heavy to use a gaming or one hand reading device. I do not think this will replace gaming devices like many reviewers who love app games.

OK, enough with the sarcasm. I am sure, during ancient times when books came out and replaced parchment or scrolls, people complained. But the thing is technology changes, and a few years from now the book media will transform towards digital publication. Just imagine the number of trees you can save! That being said, I don't think Apple will be only player in this new technology. But, what is good about Apple is that they are able to show to a wider variety of market players that such a technology is viable. Now that it has been shown to be a viable product, other companies will manage to come up with cheaper version of the product.

I think this is a great product for the niche group of people who are in the market for something more respectible than an Ipod Touch and without the need to subscribe to a wireless service with AT&T (huge).
It is a very savvy product. It targets those who are not in the market for a laptop or a new cellphone. i am surprised by those who call for CNN to stop PR-ing for Apple. We are still in America, I hope. Don't like CNN – navigate away. And yes, it is an attempt by Apple to milk the consumer. Isn't that what all profit making businesses are supposed to do?

I tried it out in the store, and while the navigation and GUI is impressive overall, when you start navigating to popular websites and start using the touchscreen keypad- that's when I hit a wall. I know you can plug in a KB but really they should have thought about this a little more, and the fact that a good number of sites I went to had the "blackout" due to no Flash...well, it left me unimpressed.

One other thing- why not give it some sort of "kickstand" so when you are trying to type you can rest it on the table or desk at an angle and type in a more normal position?

VERY casual users will probably like it, but even typing a semi-long email or something and you are going to want a laptop after fooling around with the IPAD touchscreen.

So, call me a sheep... I really CANNOT stand the hatred from people regarding the iPad. Get over it, get a life, if people want to buy one, it's none of you business!!!!!! I also cannot understand what people do not like about it. The touchscreen is amazing, it is fast, I can do everything and MORE than I can on my laptop. I love my iPhone, and I knew as soon as I saw the iPad I wanted to get one. I was initially in the market for an e-reader, and when this was available, I decided I would rather have an iPad than a Kindle. For what I use a computer for, this is perfect. The websites I frequent don't require flash, and I'm not a hard-core gamer, so color me stupid.

I am so sick of people voicing their idiotic opinions. Not everyone cares what you think, or wants to know. I wish news sites would disable user comments all together. I would much rather live in a world oblivious to the hatred people spew because of anonymity. I will reiterate... GET A LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, another overpriced item from Apple. Save your money, and go buy a newspaper or a book. I do not see how someone can miss the feel of the pages of a book turning in their hands. Wow, so you say an iPad is lighter...a book has pages and substance to it. It has actual pages, and you don't have to use electricity to make it work. Plus, their is no battery you will have to worry about.

This whole "PC" VS "Mac" thing is just plain ridiculous. Do MAC-ites even realise they are using the most inferior of all linux distros? Do they realise they can get better hardware, better performance, etc, by installing a [free] Linux OS on their desktop computer? Of course not.

Let's be realistic here: Macs are PC's pretending not to be PC's (if you accept the term PC). They offer terrible 'bang for your book'. What Mac users like is what is free to the entire "PC world": Linux.

So, if you want a desktop that acts like a mac and isn't over-priced, go buy a desktop computer and install a Linux distro.

As for the maxiPad: I'll pass. Looking at it in full operation made me laugh. I actually go to ask the question I have waited months to ask a per-ordering maniac: "You seriously wasted $600 on that thing?" The answer, quite amusingly was "unfortunately, yeah".

I'll check out The Courier when it comes out. It actually looks like a finished product

To quote Katie I, "So, call me a sheep... I really CANNOT stand the hatred from people regarding the iPad. Get over it, get a life, if people want to buy one, it's none of you business!!!!!!....I am so sick of people voicing their idiotic opinions. Not everyone cares what you think, or wants to know. I wish news sites would disable user comments all together. I would much rather live in a world oblivious to the hatred people spew because of anonymity. I will reiterate... GET A LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" -- consider your own comments and obsessions. Your own comment not only speaks against the targets of your criticism, but also of yourself.

Oh and just to add- no USB? Every device I have (camera, flash drive, mp3 player, smartphone) has a USB plugin- I don't want to have to carry around and extra accessory/dongle to convert usb to apple's proprietary connector- it's just silly. This is just another item that will be lost or broken, and you will be forced to shell out another 29.95 or whatever the cost is to replace it. Enough already!

Im writing this comment on my iPad and I've been loving it. The keyboard gets some time getting used to, but it's almost the same size as a regular net boom keyboard (if not bigger). The pictures/videos/text look crisp and amazing. The "no flash issue" is a huge things for others, but for me it means no more ads and annoying messages all over the page.

In this economy, i couldn't see it. The cheapest model is more than my mortgage. Hats off to Apple as they continue to amaze me at the huge following of people who look forward to overpaying for all their overpriced products. Not really something I need.

Steve Jobs is a geniuis for getting idiots to buy whatever they are peddling at the moment. You have to laugh at all these people who rush out to buy an IPhone or iPad and thinking they are all so cool for having one. Nope, you are still sad pathetic loser who bought into great marketing for an overpriced item.

You buy new Apple products on the day of release for the attention you get more than how supposedly "life changing, game changing, earth shattering, mind blowing" or whatever other buzz words fanatics are using to describe a large-screen iPods Touch.

No one hates the product, people hate the fanatics. No denying it's a nice upgrade to the Touch, a bigger screen makes it much more handy but it's like clamoring over a 60" TV because it's bigger than your 30" TV as though it's the most brilliant thing on earth. if Apple fans stopped acting like Fanatical Consumerists, you'd have far less loathing happening on these stories. It's just the smug, blind and at times, hilarious loyalty to an inanimate object that makes most people hate having to see these stories everywhere lately.

iPad's 3G version will be MaxiPad. Will have more space for more Content, with wings to fly through the cobweb, that can take Flash floods, some applicator USB and definitely no camera. And yeah, it'd Multi-task if you are in a hurry and can't wait!

Apple might want to "low key" there IPad success. The Obamabots aren't real big on big corporate profits and besides if they think they can run car companies, health care, & banking, the tech sector might be on their own IPad.

iPad seems to appeal to a narrow focus of e-book readers and internet surfers. Wait till the MyBill arrives and you find out you spent the cost of the unit on books and mobile data connections. With all the complaints about price and money in these postings, it's going to be a rude one for some of you. If you can't afford it, you probably don't need it.

We are sick of hearing about the new I-Pad because it merely represents the latest fad that the people who *believe* themselves to be 'tech-savvy' MUST have. I am with Steve above – I get tired of hearing people criticize my PC because it's a tower, because it runs Windows, because it bluescreens, because it's not portable, because it's not a Mac...how about you show me what your Mac can do that my tower cannot, other than go with me from place to place? (Oh, and I have a laptop for that, by the way.) Can you run the games I run? Oh, I forgot, your Mac doesn't support those. Can you go forever without bluescreening? Oh, that's right, you have the pale-off-white screen of death instead. Why should I learn a whole new operating system with OSX just so I can gain 5% more functionality for things like rendering and Photoshop and be one of the cool kids? I don't even use these programs! Steve Jobs hit paydirt with the IPod, which was indeed brilliant at the time. He killed it again with the IPhone. At the same time, everyone seems to have forgotten all the Apple failures over the years (AppleTalk, IMac, all previous versions of Macs prior to the G4 and G5, etc.) and are far too eager to write it all away because of two new pieces of hardware. Everything the man touches is not gold. It IS possible for Apple to put out a product that doesn't quite make par. Used to be that being an Apple user meant that you were a rebel, or 'unique' or something. Right now YOU Apple fanboys are the mindless sheep rather than us PC users, just because you jumped on the bandwagon with no real reasons other than 'OOOH, PRETTY NEW STUFF FROM STEVE JOBS OMG!!!". If you researched it and bought one and it does whatever you need and you can accept its limitations (much as I accept that my desktop can never be portable, for example), then good for you. Enjoy your IPad. But for the rest of you....for the love of god, stop acting like it's the best thing since sliced bread and leave the people that don't want an oversized, overpriced, under-functional IPhone alone.

Maybe if Apple would strike a deal with adobe flash player it would make this tablet useful. I'm still amazed with all the videos I can't run on my iphone because of the NON support! Come on Apple, make a deal with Adobe already or I won't be buying anymore Apple products.

Apple won again..and fooled an army of "I buy anthing that's cool because my co-workers have it too" clones to come to theirs stores, buy it and finding out later at home how it sucks. Why do I need to have this device? Its junk and already set to fail, it's a Hindenburg going down. Its like a toaster that can't toast bagels. You fools! Yes, I work in IT myself and hear my co-workers behind me talking about the IPatch, they are nuts about it, but are slowly realizing that you can't do much with it..

i like all the comments about the apple haters. i think the problem is that people who rave about apple products are never wrong in their opinions which makes the apple hate seem so excessive.

personally i dont think this product innovative or awesome, so i guess im an apple hater... or more specifically my lifestyle doesnt demand i have a product that pretty much does the same things as other devices i have.

anyhow its just a big iphone, i mean honestly is cnn making a big deal about nintendo's DS-XL? wonder where nintendo got the idea to make it bigger from...

I agree, it seems to be the Apple "sheep" that are scooping up the iPad. Other than the "pretty" factor, it's really a poorly designed product. It has no real usefulness and is loaded with so many limitations, any normal user will find they can't really browse the web. Flash is too mainstream these days to get by with a device that doesn't support it. It's another example of Apple devices "that just work"... because "they just don't do anything".

iPad will be a great tool for the medical professionals. Viewing patient's record, x-rays, etc. There are iPhone apps for the field, and it's extremely useful, but it's too small. I'm sure other PC companies will follow Apple, and that's a great thing for us consumers!

@David: Kind of hard to when CNN insists upon spamming its homepage with IPad news all the time. Just wanted to lash out online so I don't...unduly offend...anyone I know here who's been trying to show the thing off all day...

absolutely useless. The apple rep told me me "you look like a college student" and I said i was, a chemical engineer at Northeastern. and then he said "you must have a lot of books then, the ipad could replace all of your books it's so cool". And i he's right there are a lot of books... but then i said can't i just get my books from my laptop...? and his answer sounded something like this, "errr ummm ya i guess, but this is COOLER." I do in fact have NO paper college texts, all on my laptop for almost 1/8th of the price...

so i ask does it print...?
"No"
can i look up a research article and be typing at the same time...?
"No"
How about take pictures, with such a brilliant picture display and the fact that every other apple device can take pictures it MUST be able to...?
"No... but it's so innovative i already got mine."
so what do you do with yours...?
"Oh i look at pictures and play scrabble and stuff"
The conversation continued like that for another few minutes; I would ask if it had a pretty standard funtion, and I would get a nerdy, nasal sounding, offended "no" response like i was insulting his mommy and he was about to pee in his pants.

and at that point i was lauging quite loudly and then i was told the price i told him to keep the POS up his @ss becuase it seemed like he really enjoyed having it there and left the store.

I have an ITouch and love it even though when I got it as a gift I was absolutely certain I would hate it. I usually hate gadgets, but surfing the web on the ITouch is fun, I can't wait until they release the G3 version.

I'm older and the only problem I have with the ITouch is its size. I expect that after a few months of working the kinks out, I'll be an IPadder, too.

Well let me first start by saying that I am typing this from my iPad and it's awesome. Finally a "laptop" that I actually wanted to buy and use. The only Apple/Mac product I have owned is an iPod (love that too). My husband has tried to get me to buy a traditional laptop but I hate using them, I always need to attach a mouse just to navigate. When my husband first showed me the internet unveiling by SJobs, I said "I WANT one of THOSE! We pre-ordered one on the internet, they said delivery would be by April 3rd.....and it arrived at our door on time. While I anxiously awaited for it's arrival my husband had grown tired of me Saying in bed every other night.. "just think, I could be on my iPad right now or I could look that up during commercials if I had my iPad" and not have to go in my home office. I use my home office PC for work stuff but I love being able to surf the net and not be tied to my desk now plus it can do so many other cool things. I also have a Palm Pre and the touch screen stuff is a pain in the butt.....hands- down the iPad is so much better.

The one thing I don't understand is why so many people stood in line over the weekend to get one. They could have just pre-ordered online and had garaunteed delivery at your door on Sat. Maybe we ordered early enough to get that date I don't know.

Afganastans leaders threaten to become Taliban, Mexican Drug cartels murder US citizens and CNN's main story is on the iPad. In fact, nowhere on CNN is there a story about the boarder or afganastan. What a joke of a news agency.

"Why can't CNN stop talking about apple products? Everyday there is at least one story about apple on the front page?"

It is called infomercial, Kevin. The thin line between the oldest and the second oldest professions... :)
Other than that – it is just another shiny gadget. I think Apple followers will be offended even more when they realize the rest of the world does not hate the Temple of Apple and its prophet Steve Jobs, but just does not care...

Is this really news? Seriously, what is with CNN lately? You'd think they were a tabloid or a some tech magazine from the home page. You guys constantly mention Twitter and cover the iPad and Tiger Wood's crap like they're the biggest stories of the century. Enough already.

honestly, i think it is too hyped up about. it has a bigger screen. so what? it has the same memory space as an ipod touch, and about 3 times bigger. what they should do, and probably will buy it then, if the ipad had a disk drive and a card reader in it. i like how they have a 3g version coming out soon, but does it cost to use 3g? huge waste of money. get an ipod touch. cheaper and almost the same thing, tech wise.

I bought an Ipad planning on using it for an ereader. It is an amazing and useful device. i had some friends that were making fun of it until they held it in their hands and started using it. Their tune changed fast. You really don't realize just how useful this thing is until you've actually used it. I was lukewarm about this being the next big thing, now I'm convinced it is.

I got my hands on one yesterday, and I wasn't impressed at all. I have an iPhone which I enjoy thoroughly. The iPad on the other hand was just disappointing. 4:3 aspect ratio in a world of High Def? That is a big fail especially from a company who is all about Multimedia. In the window of the Apple store they have a picture of an iPad with a frame from the latest Star Trek movie on its display. It was made to look full screen. what you aren't being told is that you are only seeing perhaps 70% of the frame. Any high def movies you play on this device will be ridiculously letter boxed. Very similar to how it looks on older CRT TV's. Who wants to watch their movies in a thin strip across the screen?

The other clincher was the failure to add flash....AGAIN. What is it with Apple and their insistence on not providing a fully functional web experience. Despite their poor decision in screen aspect ratio, the device can now show a full webpage without having to pinch and zoom yet it won't load any flash content. That is simply inexcusable.

Java is in the same boat. No support there either.

The insult to injury is they have chosen to partner with AT&T for their 3g because we all know just how well AT&T handles the iPhone.

I think Apple has a good idea but they've produced a product that isn't very compelling. At a starting price of $500 I can get a net book and save a couple hundred. While they are different platforms its easy to see how a netbook's usefulness trumps the current Apple offering. Usefulness being the operative word here.

"derrr i don't know how to be safe on daa internettt derrrrrr so i needs a mac because there rrrrrr no virusses"

The majority of ppl who have problems with PC don't know a bios crash from a car crash. and people don't want to take like twenty mins to learn a few basic things about computers... i guess ignorance is bliss. when you don't understand what you can do with a PC i guess mac just seems like "all that". my roommate at college last year...

me: hey that looks like a pretty new mac you have there
him: ya it is just bought it before school
me: what size is the hard drive?
him: what drive?
me: the hard drive man.
him: ummm well i drive a toyota, so i guess it's a compact?

Haha Does anybody remember playing the game Lemmings. Hand it To Steve Jobs to lead his Lemming's (Apple fanactic's) off the end of the world with another useless overpriced paper weight. I can see the Latest iPad for Dummies book and the first sentence saying "please refer to iPhone for Dummies for more information".
Most cool website are created in Flash, Does Apple support flash "no". will they Ever "no". Whats the point of the worlds sweetest internet browsing device(iPad) if all you can view is text. Seems pretty pointless to me, not to mention it handles mulit tasking like a calculator.

I can't wait to see the latest iPad carrying cases. Probably will be designed after the fanny pack, but with a totally cooler name. The iFanny. So all you iPad users, don't forget to purchase your iFanny carrying case too.

Looks great but I have an iPhone and not sure if this gadget is necessary. As soon as it has usb port for periphreals, video for video conferencing/Skype, 3G wireless, and a better selection of books (like Amazon) I may consider it.

Here is the deal. I was totally excited to get my own iPad. I've been playing around with it since yesterday and unfortunately I must say I am disappointed. There isn't anything 'new' about this...I have an ipod touch already. The ipad is heavy and OMG the glare on the screen is driving me nuts!!

It is good for everything the ipod touch is good for, only on a bigger screen. Not worth all the money I spent. :-(

I was hoping to use it for ebooks. But, don't feel comfortable with the weight and the glare. Definitely no afternoon in the park reading with this. Will stick to my kindle for ebooks.

We pre-ordered 2 iPads and had them delivered on D day. i wasn't as excited as my husband was before they got here... he loves to gush about Apple stuff... but after playing around with my iPad for 2 days now i have to say: I LOVE IT! It's worth $700, it's gorgeous, fast, lightweight yet feels substantial, it's easy, it's fun.... love it. Apple is genius.

oh and when i showed my roommate my pc and COD4 was on it without needing to lug around an XBOX or PS3 when he wanted to play... he returned the mac and got an hp. a year later, loves it, actually knows how to program in several languages, and plays all the games he wants (sometimes in the library, which prob wasn't a real positive outcome for his education lol)

I had pre-ordered my iPad and received it on Saturday. In the past two days, I've clocked far more time on it than on my desktop, laptop, or iPhone combined. the relatives that we had visiting enjoyed using it two.

For those who say Kindle has a better selection of books (or a greater selection), you are overlooking the fact that there is a Kindle app avaialbe for free from Amazon on the app store.

For those who complain that it is too restrictive to use as a laptop (or other general computing device), well news for you it's not intended to be one. It is intended to be convenient. And so far, for me it has been exactly that. My wife is inherently skeptical of most new technology until she gets to test it out. She was quickly impressed with the variety of functions avaiable for this thing.

Why would anybody create a mobile device like the iPad and not include a camera?

I was going to by it, seeing as how I already own an iPhone and love Apple products, but the iPad is the first product I am sad to say I hate because the one feature that would've made it untouchable, Apple decided to leave out, or rather, add on later so that millions of buyers are feel cheated!

Shame on you Apple! This is the 21st century. Why would you ever create anything without a camera?!

I have NEVER owned an Apple product, no Ipod, no Mac, no iphone, nothing....I have always owned PC's and plenty of them !

But now our household has the addition of 2 IPads and by far the best purchase we have made on computing in a long time, maybe ever. The guy who said the IPad is nothing better than a fancy Kindle is way off base. The graphics are amazing, movies look incredible, the Apps are killer, the sound is fantastic ! It's very lightweight, lighter than you would think. I still own a laptop, but just for surfing the net, watching movies, reading the news or reading a book, this thing tops everything I have ever owned. The WiFi is blazing fast, pages load lightning quick. I am hear to tell you, I am NOT the APPLE fanatic who is LOVING this thing ! Honestly, this is the first Apple product ever for me and I cannot put it down !! I was on it Saturday for around 6 hours just on battery and still did not dip below 75%.

I have NO REGRETS whatsoever on this purchase. Oh, and the 2nd one was for my wife for Easter. She said "What's an IPAD when she opened the box!!" But, she quickly learned what it was and how to use it and now she is hooked as well !! Very user friendly !!

So glad that to hear that the economy has recovered enough for Apple to sell so many iPads in one day. (I guess since people are not paying their mortgages, there's a lot of expendable cash for necessities like the iPad!) Now I can't wait to spend even more money on apps and downloads and more cool stuff for my iPad. It would be great if Apple come up with some nifty marketing ideas to make people swoon for health insurance, mortgage reform, bank reform, foreclosure avoidance, etc. They are certainly smart enough to know what people want. And they know if you want something bad enough, you will find a way to pay for it, and you will stand in line overnight to be one of the first to say "I got one." That same marketing magic could be useful to the US government.

The chip Apple made for this product os extremely fast. I was surprised at how quickly applications responded. The iBook store is excellent and I am extremely pleased with this product. The Keynote application works well and I will definitely be using this to create presentations and to show presentations. The fact that you can upload pictures to the iPad is great as well.

Typed on my iPad:
I don't get why people think the virtual keyboard is a problem. You do need to learn how to keep your wrist elevated, but I'm a touch typist and I'm having few problems typing at a decent rate.
There's SO MUCH I need to learn so it really is early to give more than a smattering of a review – plus I'm on my lunch break at the local coffee shop (free wifi and it works great!).

This thread truly shows that a lot of people do not care about iPad :) More than half who responded said "dont care, stop writing about iPad". Right, stop refreshing this page please.

I am going to buy an iPad. I own an android phone and very happy with it. Decision to go with a Droid instead of iPhone was not easy, but after careful evaluation the Droid suited my needs a bit better.

Today at work I had a chance to play with an iPad that one of my co-workers brought in. I have seen and tried netbooks and ultra-portable laptops before. After trying iPad myself, I am convinced that my 7 year old will be able to use one. And not only she will be able to use it, but she will WANT to use it. This will become my truly "home computer". I am pretty sure my 70+ year old parents will use it too. They CAN NOT use any other devices I have given them, from PCs to iPods.

I will probably end up buying a few of these over next few years plus a Android ones when they come out.

Bought one on Easter Sunday...Exchanged it today, Monday for a new one. There is some sort of Wifi issue..
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1363
and it was ruining my experience with an other wise great product. Hopefully the new one wont have the same problems.

Just Love my new iPad I have an iPhone, but my desktop and laptops are PCs. This will replace my Kindle. The ibook app is just gorgeous, and the Kindle app, while not as nice as iBook is an improvement over the native Kindle, so I get the best of both worlds.

Plus, there is the incredible StarWalk, ZenGarden, news, web browsing, much more, all in my lap. The touch interface is so natural for this type of light work. The keyboard is easy to use, while I find the iPhone one still a bit of a challenge.

I'm going to try NOT to use this for work, it is my relaxation and enjoyment and I can't wait to see other apps as they are released in iPad versions. I pre-ordered the 3G this morning after playing with the WiFi this weekend. When the 3G comes in, my husband will inherit the WiFi, or I'll sell on ebay.

anyone thinking this will replace laptops is dreaming. It's great for reading online material, but my laptop and desktop can do that better. It's great for playing games, but my game console can do a way better job. And it's not as light as it looks. Also, I tried using the wifi, it's really inconsistent and the connection is low even when I'm right next to the router. Will return this as it really serves no purpose. I should've read other reviews before I wasted money on this thing.

You know what angers me the most? Its not this device, its not fanboys, its not a pc, its the retarded teenagers who put up a video on youtube smashing a brand new ipad. America has created a messed up generation of youth without any appreciation of the luxuries they have, a generation that goes around spending 400 dollars in a day just so they can smash something expensive, its disgusting. We need to raise our kids better people!

iPad is not powerful, flexible and useful enough to replace the laptop. I just can't see myself carrying another gadget on my trips. I don't want to go through Apple every time I want to install any apps. And definitely I do not want Apple to remotely wipe out any app I have installed. It is intrusion of my privacy. iPad is not for me and I can't wait to replace my iPhone with Palm Pre Plus.

The ipad does not play flash video. It does not have a usb port for external storage! Those two things alone turned me off! The way I feel about it.... DON'T give me what YOU think is all I need! GIVE ME what I want AND what's worth my money! I think I'll wait for the HP Slate! IT'S got what I really want... which is EXACTLY what the ipad does not have!

I love mine (using it now as I write this.) It is the perfect alternative to a netbook or ereader. I've had an iPhone for years; the iPad feels completely new - perfect size to sit at a coffee shop or on the couch to browse the Web and do e-mail. Plus it works great for reading eBooks and watching movies. I'm very happy with mine!

I want one too....have to wait till end of april though.
missing camera don't bother me as i have a iPhone 3GS so i'll just "beam" them over from itunes. I can't imagine someone taking pictures with such a "Big- flat-thing" in public anyway, think about it..
that will look stupid.

I LOVE MY iPAD! I will be upgrading to a 32 mg 3G/4G model – no doubt. My non-computerish husband loves it too. I believe this is the future of newspapers – I downloaded the USA Today app right away – and I love reading a book on it. It's fabulous for surfing the web and getting both my personal and work email. Videos and photos are beautiful on it. Great new device!

I have an iPhone and don't see the need for a bigger one. However, if I were to get one for free, you know I'd be super excited.

On the flip side, what is the big deal with reading fake (digital) books. You can't leave the house without your 400 page Twilight book? Suck it up. Reading seems to be the only things people really like about the iPad. All Apple really has to do is update the iPhone so that when you scroll in, it formats the text to the screen so you only have to scroll down and not down and to the right.

Oh yeah, and to those that just had to have a camera on their book reader....read a book or take a picture, don't try to do both. And if you do, no one wants to see you read.

Just saw a vid on youtube of a bunch of retarded spoiled rich kids smashing up a brand new ipad and saying to someone who asks why they did that "because its fun" like a bunch of retards. American society is really dumbed down. Glad I don't live in America!

BTW people, this is obsolete technology put inside some fancy packaging, thats all, today's technology can get you something superior but no I guess people blindly buy the new apple technology because its apple.

Apple has a history of stealing ideas and calling it their own. Apple user=Apploser. Go Tux!!

Give me MS over Apple any day!

Apple has only one uber cool technology, which is their marketing machine. They don't create a product based on market need (rule 1 of ethical engineering), they create a market for their product through psychological manipulation of the ignorant. Apple product benchmarks are no better than any other, however for some reason applosers have these grand visions of somehow being technically superior; why? Because they can use email and safari?

I bought this for my 83 yr old mother. Her arthritis is too bad for a keyboard and mouse, and the iPod was too small for her to handle comfortably. The iPad fits the bill perfectly for her. She can surf, email & read books again.

From the article: "Also, if you still have questions about what the iPad is and what exactly it does (don't worry, some people in line to buy the device still were unsure of what it was), here are two guides to understanding the iPad, and picking the right one." – so people are buying these things without even knowing what they do? That alone speaks volumes about your average Apple fan, sorry guys ;)

how many posts here are by apple employees that want to hype the product?
I bought three, one for the toilt, one for the kitchen and one for my car. What can I do with them? I just bought them, because media told me to do so.

I waited until I could 'put my hands on it' before I decided whether or not to buy. So far, I really like it. Is it perfect? No. That said though, it does what I want/expect it to do. And it does it without running a MicroSoft OS. It is an outstanding device for casual use at home and for traveling light. The iBook app didn't impress me, but that may be becaue I really like the Kindle, and like the Kindle App for iPhone and iPad. Plus, Kindle syncs between all three devices.

The hubby and I exchanged iPADs as anniversary gifts! We both love, love our new gadgets. We've been in IT for more than 15 years and had our share of cool items. We definitely rate this one slicker than slick!

I work on Apples everyday and love them. However, the iPad is just a useless toy that really does nothing. I feel that Apple has turned its back on those that kept it afloat for so long (artist, designers, etc) and are now satisfied as being toymakers. When Apple comes out with a touchpad that I can create on, then I'm in. Until then I'm holding out for the Microsoft Courier or some similar device that will actually let me WORK and create instead of play and waste time on Facebook.

IPAD is for people who don't know how to use a real computer. It's also for people who like carrying multiple gadgets with them....I travel frequently. All I need is my Blackberry and my laptop and blackberry computer. My Blackberry serves most of the functions I need, and my computer does what the Blackberry cannot–and I am ok with that. An IPAD is useless technology-if you want an e-book viewer, get an Amazon Kindle instead! Or just download e-books to your Blackberry or Laptop!!! It's just dumb.....IPAD is worthless to me. I wouldn't even use one if I got it for free.

So all the people that get tired of the Apple fans and the people that drink the coolaid are Apple haters? I would imagine that the Apple fans are way more haters when it comes to Microsoft.

As for this product, sure it will have its uses, for some people. But it is not the second coming of the computer. It might kill the kindle or other readers, and maybe hit a little of the laptop market, but the laptop is still going to to needed.

As for the person that said that they would be getting three more for their children in college so that they did not have to use the computers they have today, well don't do it. This is not going to replace a computer that a college student uses. Try sitting down and writing out a 10 page paper on it.

The problem is, they are INCREDIBLY OUTDATED now by even PC computers that are roughly $1,000.

Why would I shell out 2 grand for an Apple machine (keep in mind Apple computers DON'T DROP IN PRICE....YOU STILL PAY THE SAME FOR A COMPUTER THAT IS TWO YEARS OLD AS YOU DO THE DAY IT IS NEW) when I can shell out 1,000 for a nice Windows 7 machine that is actually quite good compared to Vista?

Heck, HP has a touchscreen computer while all Apple has is this lame iPad and their iMacs. While the iMac has a glorious display, it is not touch.

As for this iPad, it's a complete ripoff of the iPod Touch and the delay in moving this to market is almost inconceivable considering that fact.

I messed with a friend's for a couple hours (who camped out to get his) and frankly, unimpressed does not do it justice. If I want a computer-like device, I want a keyboard I can REST MY HANDS ON and actually type at like it's a computer. You have to use the iPad like it's a phone keyboard or just a computer keyboard you can't dare rest your fingers on properly, and that's annoying as hell.

No flash kills the Internet. That isn't a big deal on the iPhone itself, but when you are selling a larger-screened device as a web machine, it becomes that.

The only reason it doesn't have Flash is Jobs is an arrogant jerk who refuses to ever use it regardless of what the rest of the world does.

Apple, you used to be awesome, but with crappy Macbook Pros and this iPad, you are really falling behind. How the mighty fall.

Those of you so vehemently opposed to the ipads, I am not an apple employee, nor do I consider myself tech-savvy. I've been through a myriad of computer products over the last 20 years and recently fell in love with Apple products. My husband enjoys them at home, but does not find them conducive for a productive work environment. Each person has different tech needs. Laptops, mp3 players, e-books are all life's little conveniences. I enjoy having an iPhone for life on the run. The iPad meets a different set of desires. No phone is, sometimes, a blessing! I will bring along the iPad for travel, as it has a larger screen for movies, ebooks (not a fan of kindle).what works for you might not be best for everyone else.

For all those who were disappointed and did not like it, give them to me. I wonder why you bought them anyway and since you could afford them, then money is not a problem. I will even pay for shipping.

You guys who keep talking about everyone hating apple are really missing the point and clearly have some persecution complex going on. People aren't hating apple and apple users when they say this toy is way overpriced. The price to function ratio is way out of whack, and if you don't get that there is just no helping you. This device if priced in the $100-200 range would actually seem appealing. With far less function than less expensive and equally portable laptops the cost benefit is just not there for someone who is willing to have a little objectivity. And those of you who identify as Apple people, get over yourselves, no one cares it's just your hipster mentality telling you the man is trying to bring you down.

Apple and the Media has convinced people they need this and the people (sheep) bought into it. There is no real purpose or use for it. It is a expensive useless toy, nothing else. There is a sucker born every minute. Big waste of money.

Netbooks are better
more customizable, more features (Flash, Java), anything that iPad can do (e-books, movies) can be done better + easier on a Netbook
touch-screens are overrated, learn to use a mini mouse; it prevents wear and tear on the screen.

Who are these people who say the keyboard is easy to use? You can't be serious? I tried it at the store and about chucked it through the window at Best Buy. You can't rest your hands on it or it decides to type a letter. That's idiotic and not useful for REAL typing, say a message like this.

I pre-ordered my iPad on 12 March. UPS delievered it at my home on Sat 3rd April.
I love the Netflix, Real Racing, Sketchbook Pro, Adobe Ideas and the Epicurious apps for the iPad. Apps like these is what will make this gadget extremely popular.
The interface is so user friendly, intuitive and responsive. I am surprised by the simplicity of the interface. Now I understand why Apple has such loyal customers and followers.

I'm amazed at the number of folks who don't realize that there is a Kindle iPad app. Mine synced perfectly to my iPhone and the book I had been reading there.

Heavy work may require a laptop, but I need to sit up to do that anyway. This device is great for everything else -reading, surfing, email, movies, photos. No cords, no cables, color is outstanding. battery life is actually about 10 hours.

I couldn't be happier. I work with PCs all day. How nice it is to come home to Apple products. They just work.

While I was checking it out at Best Buy, I watched a customer ask to buy a 16 GB version, and then I watched the sales associate go ask his manager "This guy wants the 16 GB version, can I sell it to him?", and the sales manager replied "No, we're saving those till next week, so tell him we only have 32s and 64s". After being told there were "none in stock" the customer said "that sucks" and bought the 32 GB one anyways. Nice rip-off job, Best Buy!

I don't think that people get it. Not liking the iPad is not a polarized view of whether or not you are a windows zealot or a mac geek. for home computing, i would not dream of using ANY operating system that Redmond puts out (even if it produced golden bricks every time it crashes). I am very happy with my macbook and think its the best $2500.00 i've ever spent on a laptop. The iPad, well, complete waste of money.

I dont know if CNN is being paid by apple to post this or not, appointing people to go in and troll the waters about how *great* the iPad is. One thing is for sure, the iPad is a waste of money. If you bought it, forgive yourself. Its all you can do.

Question to steve, who says Macs don't run the apps he needs – What apps are those? I switched from PC / WIndows to Mac almost 6 years ago, and I'm only aware of 1 app that I have not been able to run either a Mac version, or a freeware or shareware equivalent. I don't even feel the need to run Bootcamp, Fusion, or Parallels to run Windows on my Macbook Pro.

Remember the PDA? You could do all kinds of things with that; but it was too limited. So the tablet PC's eventually came to give the PDA idea some power. Didn't catch very well. Then came the Kindle and a whole family of knock offs (and yes there is a color version available). And now Apple throws out another i-product that is just another version of the previous ones listed. Just weaker.
I was part of the web at the beginning and since then my casual browsing has shrunk to very little <hour a day on average. More work related browsing. So when would I use a portable browsing device? Not at home, I have computers all over the place, not driving (obviously), not at work (another obvious one) so where? I'm not sitting in waiting rooms very frequently and haven't got as much free time as I would like to read books or magazines. So why would I need this device?
If it was a true computer and had handwriting recognition capabilities (like the PDA's had), then I could see a tremendous use for the device; but util then, it's just another toy.

A thought here. A laptops screen can be tilted for optimal viewing. how do you view a ipad or tablet? Do have to hold it upright (and get hand/ wrist pain) or lean over it if it is laying flat?(and get a sore back)

No matter how you feel regarding the iPad, this is a game changer – maybe not immediately, but definitely a game changer. If this device ran unix or Mac OS X, it would take the global market by storm. For one thing, it boast being more stable than the best Windows 7 laptop, hands down.

Less weight, thousands of Apps, music, portability, e-mail and other enhancements yet to come. OK, it might not all be here in release 1.0, but the future looks bright indeed, not for Apple, but for the many that use this new device for travel and remote desktop apps. :)

First, I am a pc and mac user, both have their uses. There is nothing
wrong with either one. Second the people who are complaining that the
ipad doesnt do this or its not working here, or blah blah blah, ...ITS THE
FIRST GENERATION, these are the first 300K ipads there will be issues
such as there have been with the ipod, iphone, playstation, xbox, and so
on, its TECHNOLOGY people, it will be corrected, YOU SHOULD
EXPECT THIS!!!!! also to the people who are complaining about the apps
AGAIN ITS A NEW DEVICE, give it time, the apps have to be built, designed, NOTHING IS PERFECT ON THE FIRST GO AROUND, so get
over it.... PEOPLE NEED TO GROW UP, every vendor, designer etc... has
their limitations and rely on the consumers input and feedback to make device better.....

Would all you CNN haters please STOP about them running so many Apple articles? Geez! You sound like the Apple-sheep telling people "If you don't like it, don't buy it!" Well.....if you don't like it, don't READ it!

Hey CNN I bought an iPad this weekend and in less than a couple days couldn't imagine ever not having one in my house for the rest of my life. It is fast, sleek, skinny, and fun to use. I look forward to watching this device evolve in the future! It is a huge step forward and a game changer.
Sincerely,
Happy iPad owner
Blake

I am a PC user, but bought the iPad because I wanted the e-reader. I saw a demo of it and it's pretty slick. I reserved the smallest wifi iPad and didn't have to wait in line. I like the email and web surfing - it's fast and fun to use. Nice bright display too.

One big complaint – the wifi keeps dropping off and then prompts me to re-enter the password. I read on line that other people are having this problem also. My laptop doesn't do this, so it's not the router.

I wouldn't mind a longer battery life either,but other than these things, I am satisfied with the iPad and am returning my Kindle.

Why would seniors want an ipad unless they never leave home? A giant iphone at best which is pointless. It's all about portability, putting it in your pocket. When I'm at home it's easier to type on a keyboard. I'm 51 and I can see my iphone perfectly well and it's easy to magnify it if you do need to see something larger. I want something lightweight that I can carry in my pocket. I'm not an Apple junkie, I have all PC's at this point and an iphone. I am considering though a MacBook Pro laptop when the new ones come out much more sane to buy that at this point. PC's have been doing what the ipad does for years, allows you to browse the web, check email, read books (I have a Kindle who wants a backlit screen). I want something that allows me to do some serious work so that's why I want the MacBook Pro...

Apple Hater: "Boo hoo, I can't play my video games on this device or watch my favorite popup ads. I guess I'll stick with my XBOX for all of my computing needs. Why would anyone buy an Apple computer?"

Productive Adult: "I actually do work on my computer, so I need a computer that won't crash or get viruses all the time. I use Apple products."

To be clear – the iPad does have a USB port, but you need an adapter for it. Although it does not support Adobe Flash, HTML5 is slowly showing companies they don't need as much Flash and not just for videos buy also for audio and advertising – can all be done via H5. You only need Flash for some web page gaming and a few other functions, but H5, JavaScript and AJAX can do a lot of it (for the geeks who know what those are). The only thing I agree with is a lack of a camera, that is needed, but it will be added on iPad v2 which is why I never buy first generation. But if you don't need a camera it's not important and I imagine a 3rd party company will invent a webcam accessory in the coming weeks or months.

but Billy this is apple I thought they were perfect? This thing should work right out of the box as soon as I turn it on. At least thats what the commercials say right?

That should be the case but its not, no company is pefect, NOT Apple and NOT windows, Linux, etc...... Everyone has their taste and preferences, that's what keeps the market turning. If you don't like one
brand don't purchase it, and don't bash it or its consumers, that just makes you look like a fool. Grow up get a life and stop acting like your
still in kindergarten!

but Billy it's business nothing more, do you really think Apple was going to come up with a perfect device all at once, duh NO! it's obvious they knew all the things the ipad is short of, but with all the brain washed people it's so easy to sell them the first thing they come up with! they just might add something here and there and then release the second, and third and so on generation of ipads!
And don't be so naive "every vendor, designer etc... has
their limitations and rely on the consumers input and feedback to make device better.." if everyone knows the ipad is short on a lot of things so trust me Apple knows that too!! they make a device in a certain way, they sell hundreds of them and then they wait to see the reaction, they make another one, and WOW it has a camera, cool, they put it on the market, sell hundreds and, ohhh WOW let's make it multi tasking and the same story here.... in the end, lots and lots of generations of Ipads ... the question would be, what will they add first???

Because we have little to no Wi-Fi up here, I decided to buy the iPad 64GB 3G+WiFi. I will use it mostly for reading, and because I just don't need my iPhone anymore – the data plan, etc., I barely use a cell phone. But I would rather use my data plan on an iPad and get a cheap cell phone with just a few minutes and pay $15 a month rather than the huge price of the iPhone with the data plan. So for me, this saves money.

Only thing is, while the first round of iPads are floating around, I still have no idea when the other ones (WiFi + 3G) will arrive. I need to find out so I can be here to sign for it, I've gone through the runaround with FedEx before where you miss them by 2 minutes, then it turns into another 3-5 days of waiting to get it delivered.

The haters are really scared aren't they! The Microsoft apologists can't stand the fact that the beloved Microsoft has been bested again. Don't worry fanboys the ipad will be copied soon and you can buy your zunepad. Hahahahaha!!!

I love, love love my iPad. Searching for best utility apps on the iPad. College Guide for iPad is a family friendly app if you have college age kids planning for college or grad school. Check it out...was a pleasant surprise the amount of information it has. Information ranges from campus security to enrollment and admissions. Great app!!!

but Billy it's business nothing more, do you really think Apple was going to come up with a perfect device all at once, duh NO! it's obvious they knew all the things the ipad is short of, but with all the brain washed people it's so easy to sell them the first thing they come up with! they just might add something here and there and then release the second, and third and so on generation of ipads!
And don't be so naive "every vendor, designer etc... has
their limitations and rely on the consumers input and feedback to make device better.." if everyone knows the ipad is short on a lot of things so trust me Apple knows that too!! they make a device in a certain way, they sell hundreds of them and then they wait to see the reaction, they make another one, and WOW it has a camera, cool, they put it on the market, sell hundreds and, ohhh WOW let's make it multi tasking and the same story here.... in the end, lots and lots of generations of Ipads ... the question would be, what will they add first???

Exactly, I'm just saying people need to stop complaining and whining
and bashing Apple, because MS is not much better, it just makes them look like a fool, and half the bashers have NEVER even used
an Apple product and are going off of reviews or others words, they
just think it would be cool to bash Apple, ...if you ask me the SHEEP are the bashers...

What I really don't get about this product, is people are buying it as an e-book... but the whole point of the e-books is that the e-book technology is easy to read without eye strain, since it's not backlit, and it requires very little battery power. I'm not as worried about color on my books, as I am about not killing my eyes. This stupid ipad thing has absolutely no point other than 1994 type web browsing. Well count me out of this cult-tech. I'll go back to my actual tablet that I can draw on, thanks.

Amazing to read many of the comments: Oliver Lucero....you couldn't have purchased two of the 3G models as they arae not available yet.
another post: I get free 3G on my Iphone....not true, At&T required you to accept a 3G plan at $49.95 when you bought the phone!
Carley Scibetta.....poor reception on her IPad, (she returned the product) she needs USB....why not buy the accessory for a USB connecton....you can have a USB connection for your I Pad if desired.
I have not purchased the IPad yet but am considering it and the person "common sense" who thinks we should not spend our money this way.....get a life. I work, support numerous charities, and can do whatever I like with my dollars. I can think of a a lot worse ways to spend money than on an IPad. That is what makes this country great, we can pick and choose how we live and what we buy, and as long as you are not harming anyone else, it is purely your own business.

@Elaine -"I can think of a a lot worse ways to spend money than on an IPad. That is what makes this country great, we can pick and choose how we live and what we buy, and as long as you are not harming anyone else, it is purely your own business."

Apple does not support flash because it will cut into app store profits.

all the BS about it being processor intensive and buggy is a smoke screen.

I've been told as a programmer to build for the future because technology advances exponentially.
I have never had performance problems with flash that could not be fixed by reworking my code to be more streamlined.

if anything the problem is ipad and iphone can't handle flash because they suck :-p

Honestly...why is everyone complaining about the economy...looks like a whole bunch of people sold their souls. One individual: Now, I have an ipod, an iphone an ibook and now the iPad. Congratulations, you've been branded. Albeit some can't pay their rent, school tuition or healthcare insurance but they can justify several hundred on an iPad or iPhone? Wow. I appreciate Apple just as much as anyone but this "gotta have it so I can be the envy at the airport or cafe" mentality is just plain, over the top! This is not a reasonable expense. There are netbooks at a fraction of the cost. Yeah, Windows kinda blows...and the screen doesn't interact but the justifications for buying the iPad at the price Apple is asking, doesn't add up to me. Not to mention, Att gets to soak you a little more as well.

I picked one up, great decision. It is a laptop killer for me for most of my leisure computing. I also have an iPod touch, but this device isn't just a bigger iPod, it is much more and a great interface to boot.

I love tech gadgets, already own a Dell netbook AND a Kindle that I love, so was not planning to buy an iPad. But, after playing with one for 30 min on Sat, I went out and bought one. I love the very quick responsiveness, netflix app and overall elegant interface. It won't replace my Kindle for reading in bed (too heavy and I have adequate reading light). I have a few Windows-based reasons to keep my netbook, too, but if I didn't, it might be a netbook killer for me. My 70 year-old father-in-law has been using one all weekend and I think it is the device that will finally get him to use email regularly. Maybe current iPhone users would not benefit from the iPad, but for the rest of us–VERY COOL!

I was number 7 in line, and after syncing it with both my iPhone and Mac; I was a little perturbed by that lack of 3G up-gradability (my word), but after listening to three hours of music and two hours of reading quietly with no email or text alerts, nor the interrupting phone calls, the wait and lack of 3G, became HISTORY!!!! THIS IS QUIETTIME REBORN!!! Loving it!!!

To ALL IPad haters, Thank You for all your comments and helping apple become what it is now!!! We couldn't have done it without YOU we love U keep it Up!!!! Apple Haters we love U LOL IPad more popular than ever cause of U ALL ; – P

THE BOMB!!!!!! If you have the extra cash just do it it will only get better with every app made for it !!! And that is what make this a winner!!!Thanks again apple keep on making great product ill keep paying!!!!!!

I have seen Apple grow for over a decade, I used to be a great fan, unfortunately they have become a byproduct of the mainstream audience. i guess this is where me and my appreciation toward Apple end... as for the iPad, thanks, but no thanks.

I carry around a zune as my media device, I use a palm pre as my smartphone....clearly not an apply fan. But I see great potential in this device. I don't own one yet, but I can picture a trip to the parents or vacation and having the kids watch a netflix movie over 3G. With the busy lives of children the calender fills up very quickly and I am usually clueless as to what's going on. I envision this being in the kitchen up on the fridge where the family can enter daily activities and having it sync with google and bam...dad knows what's going on. I think I will eventually get one. Bit expensive though.

Those that bought the iPad know what they are getting, a nice toy that is better than an iPod/iPhone but not as good as a MacBook. Awesome piece, surfs the web/email/you tube perfectly. Let's face it, your not going to use this to compute or replace your reliable iMac, it is a toy, and if you can afford this toy consider yourself one of the lucky ones.

I just bought mine (32GB) this morning. The product is much faster than my netbook and as fast as my MacBook. This is really amazing that it can lead to other good applications. As a teacher, I look forward to use this as a teaching aid in my classroom. Kudos to Apple!

Its perfect for what it was designed for... something inbetween an iphone and a lap top. It was never intended to replace the lap top. Apple is trying to fill another need with another product. Unfortunately for me, I don't need ANOTHER device. I was soooo disapointed it would not replace my lap top. I have saved my pennys and as soon as a decent tablet is available, hopefully this year, I will wait in line a week to get it. For now, I don't need a third device. Less is better for me. It isn't a question about money, its about storing and moving information, music, movies, etc. I don't want stuff all over the place (exageration). Maybe able will come up with a new touch screen tablet to replace the laptop, in addition to the ipad. Sad for now, but I'm ready to buy!!!

You Mac goons would buy a terd if it a the apple logo was on it, apple has conformed to the pc world thats for sure, you don't see windows users trying to run Mac Os on windows machines. You folks should follow Steve Jobs into the desert and live in school buses, that would make you as unique as a purple monitor or a Mac Mini or a Mac Cube. It's not to hard to figure out that this thing only has couple uses, getting email and viewing webpages that don't support flash, probally can't even hook you ipod up to it.

Bought an iPad on Saturday and am very happy with it. It has everything I need and it's a book reader. It's perfect for travel in size and weight. It has everything my laptop does except a webcam and that's not important because my desktop has one. It doesn't have GPS but I have a Garmin. Prior to Saturday, I tried hard to find a reason NOT to get one. I still can't.

I picked up an ipad. It's great. Haven't had any issues at all with viewing websites so far, most of the smart ones are switching away from flash to video served via HTML5. Flash is a good delivery mechanisms for things like viruses, I'll be glad when it goes away.

A lot of the haters haven't used the device or really understand what it's for so they don't understand what all the hype is about. Go to an Apple store and try one out for 10 minutes. Then tell me it's not a game changer. They've delivered a new class of device, the rest of the world will be playing catch-up.

Apple has once agin ushered us into a new age that changes everything....

This new device and the convergence of input and display, is as significant and revolutionary as the invention of the mouse and grahical interfaces. Apple brought us both, and deserves our thanks for changing the way humans interact with technology, in a great way.

Microsoft announced 'tablets' in 2000 and claimed everyone would be using them in a few years. Then they produced several generations of tablets that nobody used because they didn;t get the big picture – USER EXPERIENCE IS EVERYTHING. This is why the iPod owns the mobile player industry. This is why the iPhone owns the mobile phone industry, and this is why the iPad will rule the tablet revolution. Apple GETS user experience, and I am eternally grateful for how their devices have improved the quality of my life.

I'm a user experience designer. I lived exclusively on microsoft products for eight years, and realized...Life is too short... to put up with poor UX. Life is too short for Microsoft's embarrassing lack of design and vision.

The Ipad is the SCAM, by Apple.
Selling the enlarged copy of Ipod Touch as a tablet computer to gullible masses is a crime.
I am amazed how many of the Apple brain-owned beings go like zombies and literally give the money to the Pastor (Steve Jobs).
I call it the Social Failure, not being able to resist the brainwashing, the Steve Jobs and his crew tries to do for many years on the crowd.
Disgusting...
Apple simply Sucks !!!! Every intelligent person must look for a PC.

I have nothing but good to say about Apple, especially about thier OS, but the I-pad is too much money for what it's offering. My wife has an I phone and it's awesome, but I just can't see myself spending that much money on something that can only hold 64g of memory (it's not the only thing I have a gripe about, but it's a big one...). I have an hp tx2z touchscreen that has multi-touch, pressure sensitivity, ect and I only spent $1300 after getting that bad boy loaded. Again, I'm not knocking Apple cpu's, because they do make a great product and I believe a better OS than Microsoft, but they need to offer a little more for what they're asking for.

The technology of 2007 (Ipod Touch), and absolutely NOTHING NEW !
No FLASH, meaning you can not watch the videos on regular websites, just because the Adobe (The Flash maker) is not being friends with the main Sect Leader – Steve Jobs, and wonderfully so.
Needless to say, it is a complete failure, called iPad, ergonomically ridiculous (you need to use both hands to hold it !), no USB ports, and no support AT ALL for external devices as for example you can not upload any photos from your digital camera, or videos from external drives.
You are completely OWNED by Apple, once you purchased this useless, very expensive piece of junk.
So funny, some actually buy it !!!! INSANE.

Some of us can afford to buy "toys" because we work hard, pay our bills and sock plenty away into savings. I doubt that of the 300,000 purchasers all are ne're do wells who are foreclosing over a $500 computer.

I'm sorry if times are tough for you but most of us are responsible adults who love to buy a new toy now and then. Nothing more fun than spending hours figuring out every thing it can do and then exploring all of the new apps available. Pure joy......life is good.

And the hype from the media continues. Honestly, between CNN, USA Today, ABC News and just about every news show, website, and newspaper they're hyping up the IPad like it's the second coming of Jesus. Completely unnecessary.

Thank you for participating in my experiment ! I was just finishing on my another degree in marketing sociology, and I wanted everyone to buy this big Ipod Touch for a price of a laptop.
My experiment is very successfully going..... You buy whatever we tell you to buy. I love it.
I have no words to thank you, to make me richer, and paid enough for my wisdom.

yes, the ipod touch is a micro tablet, and yes the iPad is a larger version, and that IS AWESOME and will change the face of computing and how we use technology forever.

Apple skeptics are a laughable bunch after the mouse/GUI in 1984, the iPod, and the iPhone. You think they would have learned by now. THANK YOU APPLE! what a world this would be if all technology was a Microsoft headache... I shudder to think.

We are a family of five that loves our new iPad. Is it perfect? No. BUT it does what it says it does. With three little ones, we are really looking forward to the shipment of our second iPad. I am sure that future versions will have more features, but that is the way the tech market works. We plan on using it for e-mail, video, reading e-books and playing games. We have a regular computer that we will use to do other things that the iPad is not capable of. I already have an iPhone, and did not see the point of paying extra for a 3G version, or paying for the monthly service, so the wifi version is just fine with me.

And, for the record, we are a debt free family that works hard and saves our money so that we can afford to indulge every once in a while.

So far our favorite apps are: Weather Bug, Netflix, Scrabble, Kindle (we already have a Kindle, and have can now read the books we already purchased on our iPad), and a EA Games racing game.

The only problem I've had is that it repeatedly and randomly disconnects from a stable wireless network, and frequently needs the password to be re-entered. Really really annoying, and the same issue I've had with the iPod touch.

Awesome product, incredible experience. Obviously the skeptics are blind and just don't get it. A large iPod touch is an INCREDIBLE and revolutionary thing. This form factor and the melding of input and display combined with superb usability will change everything. It has already changed everything for me. I can't wait for whatt's in store for iPad 2.0!!

I think the REAL suckers are those that are content with substandard user experiences.

I also used to wonder what the fuss was about. I used non-Apple products for years, completely oblivious to what technology could be like...But then I switched and I'll never look back.

Apple upgrade my Macbook two years into ownership with a NEW model several generations faster without a quaetion. That speaks to their customer service, and frankly is priceless. That's like handing me $1500 in cash. With that type of user experience dealing with a company, I will forever remain loyal.

Apple products make life better in ways that some may not comprehend, but that will never change the fact that Apple's high standards of usability and design excellence/elegance have increased the joy and ease with which I interact with technology and the world around me. Apple never ceases to amaze me. Now bring on iPhone OS 4.0!

I agree, it is an enlarged iPod Touch, sold for a price of a laptop computer.
Unbelievable, there are idiots, owned mentally by Apple. It is like a religion, the brainwashing and such.
Everyone who has an iPad – retard.

For those who have used Apple products, it is so easy to understand why people can get so excited about a product created by Apple. Apple has been consistent in the quality of their products, the features, the ease of use, durability and cool design. Apple never creates products that will become useless or also-runs. They have amazed us with their intuitiveness and the overall pleasant experience that is never associated with Windows products. When a company has that reputation and consistency, a new product like iPad will define itself on the basis of positive and wonderful experiences Apple fans have had. So there... People should stop getting jealous. The only way to understand it is to use Apple products with an open mind. It won't be long, you'll be one of them whom you call lemmings and sheep.

For those who have used Apple products, it is so easy to understand why people can get so excited about a product created by Apple. Apple has been consistent in the quality of their products, the features, the ease of use, durability and cool design. Apple never creates products that will become useless or also-runs. They have amazed us with their intuitiveness and the overall pleasant experience that is never associated with Windows products. When a company has that reputation and consistency, a new product like iPad will define itself on the basis of positive and wonderful experiences Apple fans have had. So there... People should stop getting jealous. The only way to understand it is to use Apple products with an open mind. It won't be long, you'll be one of them whom you call lemmings and sheep...

I really like my iPad. It's like my iPod touch but 10 times better. I could not ask for to much more and it can only get better. I don't even want to get on my computer I can do everything on my iPad as you can see. I got on my laptop to put music on my ipad and that will be the last time for a while. so I don't have anything to say that's bad but I can say it is fast and all my apps from my iPod are a lot better even if the pic is not the best they did a good job putting this together I give it a 10 out of 10

Apple is more popular than ever because of all the hatred and skepticism thrown its direction by all the PC windroids, who flock to CNN sites like these like some kind of a malicious flash mob. But guess what, the more you try to put it down and stomp on it, it just gets bigger and more talked-about. Thank you, haters, for all the extra publicity Apple has gotten. Because of you, iPad and iPhone and iPod are bigger than ever! Apple certainly loves, and the fans have all you haters to thank for now that Apple has risen from the brink of collapse to now a company with a market cap that is all but certain to overtake Microsoft very soon. Hurray to Apple. Victory is yours!! Hope there will be more windroids in the world who will put you down. Their vile diatribe is like fertilizer to Apple's business!!! LOL.

Apple does not make any quality products, don't be stupid, appleboy.
There are TONS of failing laptops, drives, displays, desktops, made by Apple.
I am telling you, as a computer tech.
There is no jealousy for Apple toys. Stop it. There are two types of people – people, who are owned by Apple, due to their ignorance, being brainwashed, possessed, fooled, used, and the people who are not.

You must be jealous of us, people who know what the computers are, tablets, and what kind of crap your crApple wants you to buy, to become a slave.
Who, in a clear mind, would buy an IPOD TOUCH, in a larger frame ??? FOR TWICE AS MUCH ?
Apple slaves, you should be jealous of people who have brains and can think and buy useful, REAL computers, by companies like ASUS, HP, SONY, Toshiba, Lenovo, etc.
The PC manufacturers – are the only and only real products makers, NOT crApple.

I was seconds away from purchasing one at Best Buy until the guy beside me looked at me while i was test driving and said, "Oh, CNN videos won't run on it". Much of my internet entertainment and education of current events comes from video. Apple?? Fix it and earn $600 of my hard earned money.

I love how the Apple haters have nothing to base their hatred on...so transparent.

Notice all the people bashing Apple have no real substantial reasons other than 'Apple sucks!' while those who appreciate Apple's superior design and usability actually intelligently and articulately describe what they love about their products in detail, and cite real reasons that are specific.

..it gives one the distinct impression that those who appreciate the elegant design and thoughtful usability of Apple products are somehow more emotionally and intellectually evolved than those who do not...

..so let the cave men use other options, they clearly don't have the neural capacity to appreciate what makes Apple products superior anyway. That's fine. Doesn't change anything. Their loss I suppose!

Those that criticize the iPad for what it doesn't do or doesn't have miss the point – if it serves its user's needs, what's wrong with that (especially if it attracts those who are not tech-savvy or intimidated by computers, like my 80-year-old mother)? It's like criticizing a microwave oven for not being a conventional oven; some of us will end up with both. I think there are some Apple fanboys, and Apple haters, but for the rest of the bell curve not at the tails of the distribution, I would suggest: try it out, if you find it useful and worth the cost, make the purchase. If not, find something else that works for you. I have been on the fence about buying an iPad, so I bought one for my nephew for his birthday, to see how he likes it. He left out of town on spring break just before the iPad delivered, so my brother has played around with it and showed it to me. They have desktops and laptops in their home (some of which support Flash!), so the iPad would not be a replacement computer. I liked the touch interface and the ease of navigating and resizing among thousands of photos; I liked how the tablet form lended itself to socializing – passing it back and forth; an earlier commenter on the "user experience" has a cogent point, as you can relate to the iPad more like you would to an appliance than a technological machine. The size lends itself to reading larger format items like magazines (amazing how actual magazines can, over time, clutter a household), though Apple will make much more money more from the distribution of visual media rather than print. I secretly hope the iPad could encourage my nephew to read literature more, rather than surf the web and instant message, but that may be a long shot. The iPad may end up being a niche object, but if it helps my 80-year-old mother feel comfortable sending emails (her total year-to-date = 0, and I put a computer 10 feet from her bed), lying in bed poring over iphoto albums (we bought her a digital photo frame that sits on a dresser), why begrudge her the experience?

...whatever you say guys! You make yourself sound so transparently bitter and blind it's almost silly. You go out of your way to bash a company with a long history of proving you wrong, with no substance to back up your hissy fits. The more you scream and throw a fit, the more interest you draw to what is truly a revolutionary product from a reliably amazing company.

I own and iPhone and LOVE IT but I was skeptical about the Pad. But after trying one... LOVE THIS THING! I'm posting from it right now... have barely been able to put it down since bringing it home. What an incredible content consumption device. What in incredible paradigm shift in how I think of interacting with the web, apps, and media of all sorts.

Casual gaming, social media, education, books, magazines, newspapers, music making, you name it. This thing is going to change all these industries and more, I AM NOW AN APPLE BELIEVER!

I'm not a hater towards Apple, but I am a hater towards greedy marketing schemes. Like $100 price differences for 16, 32 and 64GB versions?? WHAT?? If they sold 300,000 units the first day, what do you actually think they paid per memory chip? You can believe it was less than $5 each. NOTHING justifies those prices jumps except greed and as a consumer, it's marketing strategies like that which completely turns me off from a company.

...wow people actually spend time to post hate-filled nonsensical rants about this stuff? That reeks of 'get a life'.

If I use a company's product or services and have a bad experience I may go out of my way to voice that, but for people who don't use or like a company's products to go out of their way to bash Apple's longstanding positive track record and their growing loyal customer base without basis is just really....sad. I guess it does something for them though. Some people feed off of negativity I suppose? Idunno, I can't imagine it. C'est la vie.

I am absolutely amazed at all the misinformation. Whoever said this was supposed to be the exact equivalent of a laptop? And why would I get an iPhone that has a much smaller screen? And why compare to the Kindle and say it doesn't have as many books when it has the Kindle app?

Most of these arguments are nonsensical and just indicative of pure Apple hate. The dumbest argument of all.....that it's just an oversized iPod touch. Ok.....AND? I love my iPod touch. I would love it even more if it was bigger, faster, and better battery life much like the iPad. Why wouldn't someone pay more for something that offered more of the features that they wanted? Please come up with a better argument.

Angel, I think the haters may have a valuable argument in that Apple is showing a lack of creativeness. To take a product and enlarge the screen size (with a few minor adjustments) just isn't going to cut it when companies strive to gain market share by bringing new cutting edge technology to the table. Successful companies build reputations by outdoing themselves, not repeating themselves. I still think the products are good, not great in terms of originality. This is a completely unbiased comment. I'm a product designer/Mechanical Engineer, so hopefully my words have some merit.

Bought one. Once you get passed the slick UI (which entertained me for the first 20 minutes) I sat there wondering what I'm actually going to do with it. I think I'll put it in my kitchen drawer and pull it out once a year when my laptop is not charged or too far away. Unneccesary device when you have a modern phone (iPhone or Android) and a laptop.

Guaranteed we won't see all this hatred when HP releases their slate. It's just the fact that it's Apple. Glad I am open-minded enough to own Macs and PCs without having some fanatical devotion to one side.

@cake eater – is it Apple's fault that they were ahead of their time with the iPod touch? Should they not have released a product that is even more useful? I agree that the iPod touch and iPad are very similar, but it still does not take away from the fact that the product will fill a gap for a great many people. Currently there aren't products like the iPad on the market, if I'm not mistaken, but there are many on their way. So while apple may not get points for creativity because apparently they were ahead of the curve with another device, they're doing something that other companies are following suit in as well.

So I expect that these same critics will jump all over HP and these other companies for making oversized iPod touches.

I went to the local Apple Store and played with the iPad for a half hour. My initial impressions are favorable. It does all that it claims to d and it does it very well. For me, I already have an iPod Touch, iMac, and MacBook so I have no unmet need that compels me to buy one.

I just hate all the stop reporting on the iPad comments. I don't see anyone being forced to click the article and read it! I don't click on an article that talks about things I am not interested in. So just pass the article up and read something you are interested in. :)

who cares if other people hates the product, have they bought it already? then they just made apple a few hundred dollars richer, and anyway, to each his own, if they say they prefer to buy other devices from other manufacturers then let them be....unfortunately whatever new devices there would be are just geeky and nerdy hahaha. having an iThing from apple is ALWAYS cool.

It does seem like the pied piper said follow me to the apple store and the villagers blindly followed and it was bought by the masses. I love my IPOD, and think apple makes some nice products. From my limited perspective it seems its a pretty package that can do less than a laptop, so really not sure why I would want one.

I still have dial up, I don't have a phone that texts, take pics or has music on it, YET I still am living. How can that be? Apple has some amazing advertisements to brainwash people into thinking you need Apple, but I guess it all started with Big Blue.

My Archos IT is a nice Android-driven middle ground between the ipod touch and the ipad. Wifi, bluetooth, cell tether – great little tool. This form factor just seems a bit too bulky for anything other than general web surfing.

.about 30 years ago, I was one of the first to get the Apple II that made a revolution. Last Saturday I stayed in line early to get my pre-ordered iPad because my intuition told me that there will be another revolution.
After 5 minutes of experimenting with it, I new that I was right. This will change everything! Not only because of it's incredible functionality but also because it opens a world of thousands of apps written by people from all over the world. We will get here a fusion of all cultures and concepts, and you are free to choose what you like. Books, apps, music, games,etc...etc...I just love it and I hope it will help to make a better World.

its very awkward and very boring to surf the web, email etc on a PDA.. so the comment about 'they already have what....' is invalid. p.s you don't need to carry it like a "school girl", is a carry bag not possible? I think they have them for laptops... oh yeah, i have two..

The new i pad is EVERYTHING Apple set out to accomplish.
Most important VERY USER FRIENDLY!!!
The Graphics -Sound- Simplicity and Apple Customer Service makes
the i pad a pleasure to own and JUST FUN TO NAVIGATE !!!

I truly believe you are either an apple lover or apple hater. I love my iPad & I love all my apple gadgets. The iPad is amazing & I cannot wait until the one with AT&T services comes out because I'm getting that one too!!!

@ joespizza i am proud i am not american , american do no thing now other than import for china and ask why we don't have jobs !! the Ipad made in china and the chips in it made in china , each Ipad you buy or Iphone u give a part time job to chines and each time 10 Ipad sold one american job was lost ! have fun you and your school lol

It's better than I expected, better than watching HBO in bed, as good as reading the New York Times, WSJ, LA Times or even books in printed form and I love it. I can't wait to explore it every time I wake up. I really think that this will bring our troubled world closer together.

People wake up–The world standard is going to change to HTML-5
and Flash will be just that –a flash bit of history– Youtube has already started to change some videos to html-5. Remember flash is easily used for allowing viruses to get access to your computer. The times are a changing and so does technology..
This bickering reminds me years ago when people argued over audio systems.. Who made the best and mine puts out more wattage than yours. You buy what is good for you since your the one who has to live with it. If you want an iPad than buy one and enjoy. It is not a computer....
It is not just an e-reader... It is inbetween as advertised.

**I had mine delivered Saturday. I love it. Was on it for 5 hours Saturday night. Now I have a Macbook, iPhone, iPods, and iPad.**

Marie, does Apple tell you when to sleep and eat as well?

And Greg, fine and dandy if sites convert over to HTML-5. But for now, how many sites are using that vs Flash? It makes no sense for a product to be released that does not cater to what the majority of sites use. Nothing beats a device designed for multi-media use that does not allow for viewing multi-media. If Apple had any smarts they would have allowed for both HTML-5 and Flash on the device. This would allow the viewing of most online media and still allow for viewing of the newer media: thus allowing sites to convert over.

Keep drinking the apple cider: Its doing wonders for the Apple Fanboyz.

**I bought mine Saturday and will likely buy three more soon. I believe I can replace the 28 pound backpacks my sons carry at college with this 1.5 pound beauty! As more apps are polished for it's interface, it will only become that much better!**

Bill, first, I am not sure how many students actually drag ALL their course books with them from class to class. Most students when they pick their college course load allow for some time in between each course. But, the next point is more towards the idea of where I think you were going with your comment...

I highly doubt you will see college books disappear, unless your kids are taking online courses. There is too much money to be made in college books: with the revisions made each semester/quarter (depending on what school you attend). The buy-back incentive for students would be thrown out the window (although it is very pathetic to begin with since most books are never bought-back). I can't imagine any college book publisher would want to go the route of an online book since it would lose a huge profit. One person downloads the ebook for the course and then provides the digital copy to others in the class.

How can you not like it? Video, digital photos look amazing &I didn't buy it to relace my laptop, but no loading time to surf the web. Apps are great (not available on my laptop) and the ebook reader is gorgeous. The kindle app works great – all my kindle books are there & I can continue to purchase books from amazon. Games are great & not $30 – $60 bucks as on my psp or ps3. Haters are jealous – if you had the money, you'd have one too.

Well, I for one don't believe most of the Apple haters on here saying things like "Well, I got one and was excited but when I got home and started playing with it, it was pretty lame" etc. etc. I think it's just haters trying to make it look like Apple supporters are dissing the product. Get a life. If someone plunked down $500+ or pre-ordered or waited in line for hours for this thing, the KNEW they wanted it. And they KNEW what it would and would not do. So stop making stuff up and go crawl back to your Windows 7 POS.

i love these brainwashed people who say they dont like apple... what is not to like about a linux program that never freeze or gets a virus, i see someone waiting for an android version? they cant even make a phone that auto kills apps like a linux program

why do people defend Microsoft...? the ipad is a 1st gen machine, people who are saying it sucks are no different then those who say the world was flat... if you don't like it don't buy it but don't criticize innovation and design, mac product may be expensive but they are built solid, i have never lost a mac computer due to virus or spy-ware and i have no security other than apple security... in 3 years ive gone through 4 PC Laptops (alien ware) but yet my G4 mac from the 90s runs like a gem

lol: " love these brainwashed people who say they dont like apple... what is not to like about a linux program that never freeze or gets a virus"

The reason you don't see major viruses on Linux or Apple is that they products are not widely popular like MS based systems. Thus, those with malicious intent have no reason to draw up code to attack said systems. Why waste time on generating a virus or other malicious program for the minority when you can do so for the majority and increase whatever result they want?

If Apple were the more popular brand they would see a lot more malicious programs and viruses on their systems. Its simple logic.

I did not buy an iPad. I am a proud Mac/Apple-lover (iPhone 3GS and MacBook Pro owner), but I do believe this is just a gigantic iPod touch. My iPhone does what the iPad does AND it makes phone calls. I'm fine with my iPhone! I'm waiting for the Microsoft Courier to come out, because THAT will be a revolutionary product.

I was going to wait for the 3GS I have on order but couldn't stand the suspense and picked up the 16 gb on day one. It is simply astounding. I lve been reading newspapers and magazines on it and think the iPad can be the delivery mechanism of choice going forward for news organizations. The screen is the right size, the clarity of images superb and the iPad librery is wonderful.

thanks to apple i've managed a pretty good career in creative arts utilizing machines from the early Mac on up to the IICI and later into the Powerbook lines. Keep it coming guys, madjef music & movies wants 2 more.

I'm so happy that people spend money on their 4 year old one or buy 2-3 IPads for themselves. Isn't it great that we support poor old Apple and the Service Provider with an add. $ 30 a month when the country is suffering from economic crises..WHAT Crises....The good old Communication with your child or friend just took on a new dimension. And WTH do I do now with my MAC Book..now..what a dilemma

I love mine and fits my intended uses perfectly and is a great COMPLIMENT to my desktop and iPhone (haven't bothered with my laptop in over a year and have totally lost interest in the things). I got the 16gb and wish I had the extra $100 to spare for the next size up, but I can save and get a later gen version next year if I find I really do need the extra space (I have the 8gb iPhone and still have 6gb free most of the time, depending on how many photos I take).

Lack of USB? Not an issue for ME, especially since Apple is going to be offering a Camera Kit, which is essentially 2 adapters – one to allow you to connect your camera or iPhone via USB cable and another which is an SD card reader. I plan on getting one, which will be handy for me as an ametur photographer. I have an app to print from my iPhone, so I'm pretty sure I'll eventually get an app for the iPad to do the same in time. Again, non-issue for me. Oh and flash websites can be pretty annoying at times. I imported my bookmarks and most, if not all of the sites I frequent look fine on the iPad (and in some cases load quicker than on my desktop).

Granted I was never interested one way or another in Apple or their products until recently, but the over-the-top hatred is getting really old. In my opinion, the haters are no better than the uber-Apple-fanboy-geeks, just the other extreme. Honestly, it's sending me to the other side just as much out of spite as I am sick of Microsoft's choke-hold on computing in general. Want a cheap e-machine laptop or netbook, good for you... let me enjoy my iPad in peace.. kthxbai.

wait so its a 500 dollar netbook, that doesn't have flash support, it has a touch screen (gimmick in my opinion), it doesn't have open source, you can only run Apple applications (monopolizing the market) , a 200 dollar netbook can do much more but without the touch screen.... also the 200 dollar netbook can atleast play old games. This u have to pay for those cheezy application games. Which are subpar for a gamer. For what it does , it does perfectly , it just doesn't do enough to warrant the 500$ price tag in my opinion.

"@ omar i am proud i am not american , american do no thing now other than import for china and ask why we don't have jobs !! the Ipad made in china and the chips in it made in china , each Ipad you buy or Iphone u give a part time job to chines and each time 10 Ipad sold one american job was lost ! have fun you and your school lol"

Wow, I am proud I am not omar. Poor American (and Chinese) people got slammed pretty hard on this Apple news.

Two themes emerged from this discussion: iPad will NOT replace a phone and iPad will not replace a laptop/netbook. OK, fine. It's neither. We get it. You made your point. Please let me know if those who bought it and can't stand it: can I have it? Thanks.

I pre ordered the iPad as a gift for my wife. It was surprisingly delivered at exactly 9am It turns out to be a pretty nice device. The processor is pretty darn fast and the screen is truly beautiful. My only quirk is without the case (to be delivered a week after the iPad itself) it's kind of awkward and tiresome to hold in one hand and operate with the other hand. My wife

Yippee, big deal. Call me old-fashioned, whatever you want, doesn't bother me. I'm 57 years old, have worked with computers most of my worklilfe, love my laptop, BUT . . . . absolutely abhor the invention of the cell phone and all the other little "necessities" people think they have to have today. I should back up a little, maybe "hate" is too strong a word for cell phones. They do have their use at times, for emergencies (I have a pay-as-you-go cell for EMERGENCIES) or use at home, but preferrably while not attempting to do something else at the same time. My biggest pet peeve is people who seem to think ithey can't live w/o that little piece of electronics up to their ear, no matter where they are. I cannot go to the grocery store or any other public place w/o someone standing in the middle of the aisle blocking traffic, nothing in their grocery cart, just elbows leaning on it and chatting to someone about a party last night or did you hear this about her or him or . . . some other bit of garbage. And I don't think anything has to be said about people who drive with the phone in their ear. This new invention only gives them something else with which to clog up the grocery aisles and probably try to balance on their steering wheels cause they "can't do without it."

I like how all the Apple fans are super quick to point out how much better their products are than other brands, but the second someone contradicts their idol Steve Jobs and talks about how useless the latest Apple product is (whatever it maybe) they come back with "..stop hating on Apple!... Go buy the HP slate, or Sony, or whatever else mac-haters, but leave us alone."

Can't take the heat? Get out of the kitchen. I've never seen a more melodramatic, defensive, reactionary, thin-skinned, and childish group of people than Apple 'fans.'

Why are they like this? Because they're easily duped by 'hip' marketing into spending more money on things, and they know it, but they don't want to admit it. So the second someone points out a fact that makes the denial obvious, they get childishly defensive. Pathetic.

Initially when I put my hands on the iPad I was not sold. I was feeling the lack of mobile Internet would be a problem for me. I decided to purchase a mobile hotspot from sprint to use with the iPad and what a joy it has been. I love this thing!!!. Some people say it is like a iPod touch but after owning both of them i can assure you they are very different. The apps that were for the ipod touch now on the iPad seem more practical. The screen real-estate of the iPad make the touch look like an ant. The only real headache i have about the ipad is the lack of flash. It really limits the Internet experience. Steve you really need to fix that.

Ok, I pre ordered an iPad as a gift for my wife. Surprisingly, it came exactly at 9am on saturday the 3rd, kudos to Apple and UPS. We both love this device. The processor is pretty darn fast and the screen is very vivid. The only quirks are that I find that it's easy to inadvertently push either a wrong spot or key thus sending things in an undesired direction and I do often find myself in an awkward or uncomfortable position, holding the iPad in one hand and operating it with the other hand. I also don't know the case is being shipped a week after then device itself. Having the multi- use case is suppose to help a lot. Otherwise, it's definitely a great thing for her to have. I would personally prefer a nice Macbook!

I think its funny how people are complaining about the Apple articles. I'm sure there are links that lead t the article that you selected to read it. Stop selecting it, you don't complain about tv channels you don't watch, you just turn the channel. Apple makes great products, but I will wait for some updates before making a purchase.

I don't see the big deal about the iPad. With today's phones and laptops the iPad is a useless device. The iPad is too big to carry with you everywhere. The iPhone is more than capable of performing most of functions in the iPad and it can fit in your pocket. If you are going to carry the iPad around you might as well carry a laptop which can do a lot more, and they make them pretty small today. The iPad is just for those who think they need to have any tech device that comes out or for the gullible. Most iPad owners probably have a desktop computer, a laptop, an iPhone and now an iPad, do you really need all of them?

People who proclaim how much they hate Apple are really no better than people who proclaim Apple can do no wrong. And yes, I like my iPad and iPhone. I also really like the Windows 7 pc I put together myself.

It's been said before, it's an over sized iPod.....and you still need a computer as a slave device to use it for syncing your music and videos. What a waste of money. I am a PC fan and an Apple fan, but the HP slate computer will have me sold more than Apple this time. Why doesn't Apple give the consumers what they want and add things like video chat, on board point and shoot camera, actual processing power, and more memory. This would also be a good idea, how about making a device that can be used without having to sync with a computer? I would love to be able to sync my music or videos directly from my external hard drive to this device. It doesn't look like this version will allow us to do that. We just have to wait and see what iPad 2.0 will have to offer us.

it doesn't load FLASH or Java because both flash and java are outdated forms of technology. When new websites, videos are made these days they don't (the majority of time these days) use flash. Apple is the way of the future and they aren't compatible with technology of the past. The replacements for Flash are far superior.

The move is forcing some who use flash and java to upgrade and more forward off of the old technology (which i realize is not too old in number of years, but is old in technology development time)

I went and checked out the Ipad at Best Buy. I have an Ipod Touch currently, but thought it might be cool to upgrade. After plying with the Ipad for a while, I realized that it was nothing more than a larger version of an Ipod Touch.

Actually, for $499 (starting price), I am disappointed in what it doesn't have.

1. No SD or memory card reader.
2. No USB ports for greater connectivity or thumb drives.
3. No external display port for presentations. (an adapter may be available)
4. I STILL have to hook it up to a pc for Itunes.

Like all MS products, the Courier will be late, it will be so bloated with "committee think" crap that it will crawl at a snail's pace. It will consistently crash. It will be next to impossible to configure it's networking and printing for the average user. It will weight twice as much as they say now. And it will sell half of what they predict and less than 1/4 of Apple's iPad sales. Don't believe me? a) Look at Microsoft's past track record and b) just wait and see.

"it doesn't load FLASH or Java because both flash and java are outdated forms of technology"

This could not be further from the truth. I pray people don't honestly believe this. So YouTube and Huluu are outdated? Ever watch a video on the Internet? These all depend on flash.

Secondly, anyone returning the iPad better not be disappointed. You better have planned to return the device before even buying it. If something surprised you about the device, you should really learn to read the hundreds of reviews before purchasing it.

Worthless. Screen is too reflective and shows all fingerprints. WiFi doesn't work unless you are basically touching the router. Battery life is horrible. Typing is a nightmare. One app at a time... really? No USB... come on! Two friends got one and are returning them today. Lemmings they are to have bought them in the first place. Can't wait for Google or Android powered ones to come out that are complete and ready to use, unlike the typical Apple system of robbing ideas, putting out a half complete product out, and trying to claim they came out with the idea. They may get some things out first, but they DID NOT THINK OF THEM, and they rarely work within the first two versions...

@A.
um... not to smart to buy a product that you have to by adaptors for anything you want to connect to it... it should be built in. Plug and Play... not Pay, plug, plug, hope it plays. Worthless WiFi also, unless you like being two feet or less from the router.

What a major p.o.s. design from apple this time, personally I will wait and go with HP's tablet that will be twice as usefull. No flash – no buy. No USB – No buy. No SD slot – no buy. no camera – no buy. man this gizmo is gutted...sad people dont know whats coming to grab one of these they will regret it soon.

@Strom: I have had no trouble with the WiFi and have been no where near my or any router. I also knew full well what I was in for in regards to the lack of ports. I don't NEED to plug in a bunch of devices to the iPad – I have a laptop I can lug around for that if I choose, in addtion to just using my desktop at home.

It's great you and others don't like or want an iPad and want to constantly criticize the thing, but it works for me and *MY* uses and needs. Personally, I think netbooks are not for me, but I'm not going to go on and on ad nauseum about how much I don't like them or want onoe.

Oh yeah, I can't COUNT the times I've had to reboot my laptop (even when it was BRAND NEW) just to connect to WiFi network or how many times I've had to re-install a "plug and play" device on my PC to get the things to work right. NEITHER Apple or PC-based products are without their own faults and limitations.

Could this be Apple's first product that gets recalled? Sounds like they rushed to get it out and didnt test the wi-fi capabilities, or they just dont care anymore knowing people will buy anything with the apple logo on it......

Tried it... liked it... but I must admit this isn't up to Apple's usual standard. Even the flunkies at Microsoft might be able to pull this thing off. With that said, I agree with the above comment, forget what the Tea baggers say and try it out for yourself. Just wait for the 3G version!

Since 1984 I have been a Mac Fanatic, perhaps some would have said I was a Mac Nazi. I view myself today as perhaps an Apple Fascist. Use the right tool for the job at hand. I do use MS products for those projects I deem their strengths to be. Did I purchase an iPad, well of course I did! But unlike the Newton sitting in my Apple Museum, I firmly consider the iPad to be a game changer. Yes, it is a Big IPod. Today it is a big IPod. But tomorrow...? It is a product ahead of its time. We who have purchased this product today will see this technology bloom into what I believe is what SJ envisions what this product will be in the not too distant future. That is, a totally way we will communicate with the world and with each other.

I am not really sure why so many people on this thread seem to automatically equate any non-Apple computer with a Microsoft supporter. I haven't used Windows in almost 8 years. Red Hat is far superior. And this isn't an either or proposition, folks. I like some things about Apples, and some things about PCs. I use both for different reasons. What I don't have is some silly slavish obeisance to a device. It's a computer–nothing more.

75% of the people buying Ipons are I-tards. People that use windows based computers are tired of being called dumba$#es for owning PCs. These slates will never replace computers. If you are wanting a tablet, wait for the google tablet. There is a reason why Google Android phones have outsold Iphones over the last 3 months. There is going to be over 100 new Android based phones in 2010 alone. Google is going to make pie out of Apple.

"Ignorant zombies" and "sheep". What is this? Am I in a town hall meeting? I'm perplexed. My only regret in getting an iPad: It has hateful angry people on it. Maybe it's a form of jealousy? It seems like more but I can't put my finger on it. Fear of change? Projection of one's own ignorance and sheepness? Feeling of insignificance? Maybe just the age-old PC/Mac polarity coming to a head...

my daughter has one and it is really a cool device to have.
definitely on the luxury side of owning one but i would recommend it to alot of people over 50 that might not need a desktop and just enjoys the option of the internet and all its capabilities. i can't wait to own one myself but will see what happens at the end of this year before i splurge!!

I had the liberty of testing this unit. during my testing stages, I found that yes it may be a overgrown ipod. but with apps like Netflix, your movie watching days are now mobile. I had the 64gb 3g version which was short of the amount of space needed to add more songs.. with this test, 8500 songs were added and 23 digital movies from movies I bought at best buy, they give you the digital one as well. I had a over good experience. when the jailbreak came out, I was not sure if I was going to update it, but I gave it a whirl, and d found that alot of apps for the iphone 3g worked without a hitch. The speaker located on the bottom of the ipad wasnt nice, I would prefer the speakers to have more then one outlet. Apple should have thought about thru the display, or evem on the sides, rather then the bottom. The Screen being big, makes it easy for people with bad eye sight to enjoy the perks of road entertainment. my final point of this write up is simple.. does it work for work? does it help you in your everyday office work? does it replace a laptop? does it do the wonders that others have? simple answer to all of them NO.. my next feat will be the blackberry. As of now with the RIM technology, it will be interesting to see what comes out of them.

I have seen a new ipad clones out in china.. again, cheap software, horrible graphics, and more issues. can apple improve? Yes they can, but they need people who work everyday with IT to help contribute more to their development. too bad they would not hire the people who really give them a run for their money. the guru's they supposedly have, what do they know?? they work for apple.. duh.

is it worth it? nah.... the price should have been 50% lower then they priced it.

Not to fear even microsoft is collecting the negative feedback on this apple thing, and be rest assured their programmers are working hard to give Steve something to chew on.

I think it looks cool but not practical. it is supposed to be portable - use anywhere. But if you touch the screen accudentially - and that will happen a lit if you are using it "actively", evetrything changes. What good is that? I can't believe everyone buys into this hype.

I am a PC user / web designer who needed to purchase an iPad to research how it would affect web pages and in that department it is a huge dissappointment as it is clearly a retro, back to low resolution 1024 X 768, non multi-tasking, non flash, non USB environment that virtually pulls us back to circa 1998 computing.

It is fundamentally tied to the apron strings of "I Tunes" and typically reflects Apple's selfish fascism and uni-dimensional, corner the market on all peripherals and take a piece of every App action mentality.

Profitable? of course! so five stars there for their business model. Restricting on individual freedom to interact with other devices? well even their exclusive video out cable for $40 does not actually output to your video recorder or display device... it only outputs authorized "apps" which by the way are tiny fragmented pieces of what used to be called software programs, only now they are so specific as to resemble just one or two features out of a total program.

Buying apps is kind of like buying one feature in Photoshop and then purchasing each filter seperately, including the option to SAVE your work 'app'.

All in all I cannot wait for ANY legitimate alternative that gives us back the original ideal that computers promised, compatibility, cross platform communication without the I Tunes censor hub and basically just sane, civilized evolutionary features that expand your options not constrain them. The iPad is so retro in so many respects it makes you wonder if Apple is not some kind of government plot to reclaim technology and the Internet from the public.

I give it two stars for effort and 5 stars for profitable scam device of 2010. Can't any company in the whole PC world free us from this dictatorship of so called convenience? Same goes for the new iPod by the way... two cameras and it can't even run Skype video chat, I mean hello?

I bought one to keep in touch with email and the web on business trips. I like it because it is much smaller and lighter than a laptop and doesn't need 120 VAC every two hours. It is harder to type on the screen than a laptop, and will not write my novel on one, but with instant-on and 3G wireless access I can do things while waiting for a train, at lunch, or as a passenger in a car that I would not have bothered with if I need to take out a laptop. I installed the word processor and spreadsheet .. they work fine but I only rarely use them. Looking for Apps in the app store is time consuming, and when you think "Oh, there should be an App for that," there isn't.

As with all Apples of the past, its overpriced and has insufficient memory. I like the long battery life and its good for showing sample pictures, but the available software is primitive and I find its operating system very backward and outdated. The need to use Itunes and constant "synching" is also very, very outdated. Most computers that you will connect to the Ipad have insufficient power through the USB port for charging rapidly. I waited to buy one until multitasking became avaiable. The basic mentality of Steve Jobs is behind the machine where he is smart and you're not. Urgently needs a separate USB port.

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[...] So, do people actually like the iPad? – SciTechBlog ... – Apr 05, 2010 · Al Lockwood : April 5th, 2010 11:10 am ET. The pic accompanying the article says it all – the iPad is fine if you walk around all day clutching books to ...... [...]

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